Macomb, IL – Macomb's Spring Lake Park provides hundreds of acres for fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. It now appears the park might also be providing space for a predator. The park district has sent a letter to the city stating there is reason to believe a cougar has been on the property, which is maintained by the park district and owned by the city. Park District Executive Director Ray Peterson says a WIU student made a cast of a track she found this summer and had it examined by the biology department. Preliminary tests indicate it was from a cougar. Peterson says he's also heard of sightings from enough other people to believe cougars have migrated to the region. He says there's no cause for alarm but adds those using woodlands should be aware there might be a predator in the area. Peterson says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been notified, though the DNR wants to make sure this is not a hoax and will await scientific confirmation before taking any action.
Evidence of Big Cat at Park Site
