(Round Lake, Mn.,Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011) – An investigation is underway into the shooting of a cougar in southwest Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the animal was shot Monday morning in Round Lake Township, just north of the Iowa border.
The cougar reportedly weighed 125 pounds and was 74 inches long.
Cougars are a protected animal in Minnesota, and authorities say charges may be filed depending on the outcome of their investigation.
The cougar’s body is in the custody of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It’s been sent to predator specialists in Grand Rapids, Minnesota for further examination.
Additional Details Surface In Cougar Shooting
(New Ulm, Mn., Thursday, Dec.1, 2011)- Additional details are starting to come out in the shooting earlier this week of a cougar in southwest Minnesota. The 125 pound animal was shot in Round Lake Township of Jackson county, just north of the Iowa border.
Bruce Ihnen says he was finishing chores on his brother’s farm Sunday when the cougar came out of a grove and ran into a culvert. Ihnen says he called a neighbor and they chased it out of the culvert and his neighbor shot it.
Chris Niskanen of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it is likely the first cougar shot by a citizen in Minnesota’s “modern history”.
It’s illegal to shoot mountain lions or cougars in Minnesota unless they’re posing a threat. Authorities haven’t said yet if they intend to file any charges in connection with the incident, which is still under investigation.
The cougar’s body is being examined by DNR wildlife biologists in Grand Rapids.
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