HOUGHTON, Mich. – In a first-of-its-kind incident, state wildlife officials have confirmed a cougar was hit by a vehicle in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed through DNA analysis that a motorist on M-26 in northern Houghton County struck a male cougar after dark on Nov. 15, the annual deer season firearms opener.

Conservation officers responded to the scene and searched the surrounding area but didn’t find the animal. Though they did collect a small tuft of hair from the vehicle and the outer sheath of a single claw.

DNR wildlife officials returned the next morning to search the area but didn’t find any additional evidence of the large wildcat.

“We do not know if the animal survived the collision since it was able to at least leave th

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