DNA results prove the cougar spotted in Rock County is wild, not an escaped captive, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Doug Fendry, of the DNR, says lab results show the sighted cougar is male and probably native to South Dakota. He claims it's likely a male cougar that is looking for new territory.
"If you look at our neighboring states such as Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa they also have had dispersing male cougars from South Dakota appearing in their states as well," says Fendry.
If the cougar had escaped from captivity, Fendry believe it would more likely be a threat to humans because it might not be afraid of people.
(Beth Wheelock -WCLO contributed)
