By Wilson Ring, The Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt. — A Vermont animal tracker known nationally for her expertise in tracking cougars says she believes the big cats will eventually return to the Northeastern United States.
Sue Morse of the organization, Keeping Track, says cougars are moving out of the Dakotas, including north into Canada, which she believes is the most likely route back to the Northeast.
She says northern New England and upstate New York have ideal habitat for the animals. But Morse also says the Northeast won't see large numbers of the big cats anytime soon.
Mark Scott of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife says sightings of individual cougars are possible, but he calls the possibility of a breeding population "a long shot."
Morse is planning a talk on cougar migration Jan. 7 in Richmond, Vermont.