Rural LaSalle woman says 'big cat' is back

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

LA SALLE -- Horse keeper Geneva Iverson is rather convinced a cougar is still lurking the countryside near this small community between Hanska and St. James.

Several weeks ago, she called The Journal about what she suspected was an early-June cougar attack on a thoroughbred horse she takes care of on the Jim Bird farm east of town.

While visiting the Bird farm, it was obvious that the horse was agitated by something. It whinnied and neighed in the barn stall and had unusual marks high on its neck and belly. The horse wouldn't stay in the pen where Iverson it was attacked.

More recently, Iverson discovered what she thinks are fang marks high on one of the horse's front legs.

"It looks like a fang mark on top one of the front legs and claw marks down a little lower," Iverson said.

Other unusual events have also taken place nearby, she said. A neighbor, Roger Kelly said one of his trash cans was demolished, the barn was messed up and their cats were missing.

Iverson said she called the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about the "attacks" on her horses earlier this summer but thought she was largely ignored.

"I'm thinking about pitching a tent in the barn," Iverson said. "Other people have reported seeing cougars in the area recently. Not everybody reports it to authorities for fear they won't be believed or people will think they're nuts."

Iverson said she is also thinking about cutting down some of the tall weeds in the farmyard, fearing a cougar could be hiding there. She said the usual number of raccoons, woodchucks, skunks and other small game that were usually around are not in or near the farm this year.

In April, a rural Courtland family reported an unusual death of a goat that was tied up in a pen. The family's caged rabbits were also reported stolen.

Tom Conroy, Southern Region Information Officer at the New Ulm DNR Office said there could be a cougar in the area but that the public should not be alarmed.

"Cougars are highly-secretive animals and avoid contact with humans," Conroy said. "They usually go after rabbits,squirrels and livestock if the opportunity presents itself."

Earlier this summer, Bloomington police shot and killed a 100-pound mountain lion near the Minnesota River. The animal was shot after walkers on a popular trail saw it and said it was snarling. Police killed it because they considered it dangerous to the public, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

The cougar had a full set of claws and large canine teeth, something most private owners have removed. Bloomington Police have responded to 10 mountain lion sightings since 1999.

Another cougar was sighted near the Bloomington cougar sighting near the Minnesota River in Savage this April. A Cargill Inc. employee used a remotely-triggered, motion-sensitive camera to photograph a cougar.

There are 40-60 credible cougar sightings in Minnesota each year, said Bill Berg, a retired DNR specialist.

Cougars are a protected species in Minnesota. They cannot be hunted or trapped. There are no known reports of cougars attacking humans in Minnesota, the DNR said.

Biologists believe cougars arrived in Minnesota after wandering in from mountainous western states. Cougars are larger than dogs and look like very overgrown tan or orange house cats. Adult cougars are 6-9 feet long and can weigh up to 200 pounds.

For more information, visit: www.dnr.state.mn.us/snapshots/cougar.html