COPEMISH, Mich. (WWJ) - The DNR said they are looking into images of a large black cat with a long tail captured by a photographer during a 5K race southwest of Traverse City on Saturday.
Dakota Stebbins told 9&10 News that he was hired to take photos during the Drew Kostic Memorial 5K Tough Run at Twisted Trails Off Road Park over the weekend when the big cat loped into view.
“It was a downpour and pretty, pretty good for most of the morning. I had a camouflage poncho that I set up over myself and cut a hole in it so I could get my lens out," Stebbins explained. "And many people thought I was a rock just sitting in the middle of the pathway. I think that probably is why I got the photos that I got."
A large black cat with a long tail -- similar to a panther -- can be seen in the series of images posted by 9&10 News.
“It was very low to the ground. I think it was trying to catch a scent. I was just trying to make sure that it was in the clear where it was at. I don’t think it could really pick up the scent at the time,” Stebbins told the northern news outlet.
So what is it?
Large carnivore specialist, Cody Norton, with the DNR told WWJ's Beth Fisher they've checked out the photos -- and more than likely, it's a large domestic housecat.
Officials said there are only three native wildcats in the state, including the bobcat, the mountain lion (or cougar) and the lynx and Norton said they were able to determine the reported animal was not a cougar.
"First off, for a cougar -- or panther as they are called in Florida and other areas -- there's actually never been a confirmed black cougar anywhere in the world, so the only two cat species that express melanism in their hair pigment are leopards and jaguars."
Neither of which call Michigan home, he added.
Norton also said they looked into the body proportions to determine the size of the animal in the photo.
"It looks like it has very short legs in proportion with its body size. Also a pretty big head in proportion with its body size compared to all of our big cats that either would be native to Michigan or could be escaped captives."
Norton said they also compared objects surrounding the animal to determine relative size, which they didn't believe was that large.
"That's one of the hardest things, you know, if you have a cat that's in a chisel plowed field or something without any good size reference, it can make it look a lot larger to the person observing it or taking photos of it which we see happen quite often."
In conclusion, Norton said all of the evidence suggests it is a domestic cat.
Norton said they do get confirmed cougar photos, but they're mostly submitted from areas in the Upper Peninsula.
"We see what appears to be younger males who leave western populations who head east and never find a female and show up here in Michigan sometimes," Norton added.
There have been 80 confirmed cougar reports spanning back to 2008, Norton said. Every single one has been in the U.P. accept one in Clinton County, just north of Lansing.
Given the evidence, the DNR doesn't not believe the cat captured in the photo is an escaped wild cat either, although it has been known to happen. Last October, Oakland County authorities and residents were on alert after a large exotic cat escaped from their owner.
An African Caracal named Bam Bam was captured by authorities in Royal Oak after it managed to get out of its enclosure and roamed the community for several hours last fall.
Police said the owner had four of the wildcats, which are native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan and India.
This was the third time they had escaped her property, prompting officials to remove the cats from the home.
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Royal Oak Police Commissioner Brandon Kolo told WWJ at the time that the animals "clearly wanted out" of their enclosure.
"They were too confined. They're wild. They roam, they hunt, so the sanctuary will provide that for them, and it will keep our residents safe, which is our number one goal," he said.
Norton said if Michiganders were to ever encounter a large cats on the loose, the best advice is not to run.
"You generally want to make yourself look big, let the animal know you are there, so hold up your arms, stand tall. Back away while keeping eye contract with the animals. Don't turn your back on it. If you have any pets or small children, you want to pick them up so they don't run.
Norton said running tends to trigger a predatory response in big cats and make the situation more dangerous.
The latest sighting in Northern Michigan remains under DNR investigation, but Stebbins said he is thankful he snapped the photos.
He called the experience humbling, but "a little bit terrifying and cool all at the same time."
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