Not so long ago, big cats once roamed the woods of eastern North America. Some native peoples called him Klandagi, or Lord of the Forest, but he has had many One of four adult western cougars at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia. Reports of sightings have increased in the last 20 years, yet there is a maddening lack of physical evidence. The eastern cougar was wiped out by European settlers. Yet cougar reports in the Maritimes have increased dramatically in the last 20 years.
Most cougar reports are false, biologists say.
Even credible reports are open to doubt. The eastern cougar has been pushed off the endangered species list. The Abitibi Cougar People who believe there are cougars here say they know where the big cats are coming from. But not all the evidence is in. Opinions are mixed on whether we should protect cougars and preserve habitat.