Cougar family in northern Minnesota

More footage of the first documented cougar family in Minnesota in the past century. Volume up for the full experience. More to come soon!

We collected 9 scats at this kill and they are on their way to a lab for genetic analysis to try to get individual genetics and determine what western population the mom and dad originated from. Genetic samples cost ~$55-70 per sample, depending on the type and quality of the sample. And we need some help to cover these ‘unexpected’ costs (unexpected because we never expected to learn of a cougar family in our area).

By donating to our annual fundraiser, you help us cover costs like this, and gives us the ability and resources to study these individuals, and any others out there we might learn of.

I.e., by donating at the link below, you directly support this research. Plus, the support helps us have the capacity to send in any samples we collect in the coming months.Once we have results, we will share with everyone!

Notably, we also analyze the genetic samples from every adult wolf we collar, pup we tag, or dead wolf we come across. That work has been supported ENTIRELY by folks donating to our project, and the results have provided a wealth of information on wolf pack and population dynamics.

And this work will only continue if generous folks continue to support our work. E.g., a $70 donation ensures we can get the genetics of a wolf.

So please donate to our annual fundraiser to support our research and help us cover these costs and keep this research going!

Donate here: https://crowdfund.umn.edu/campaigns/VWP2026

Written by Voyageurs Wolf Project