State wildlife biologists are investigating after a cougar was found roaming near a northern Illinois farm.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says Thursday that they euthanized the animal found Wednesday near Morrison in rural Whiteside County. The cougar was between 5 and 6 feet long and weighed about 100 pounds. Wildlife biologists plan an animal autopsy, or necropsy.
Farmers called conservation police after seeing the cougar exit a cornfield. Police found the animal in concrete tunnel under a corn crib.
Experts say there were three confirmed cougars in Illinois between 2002 and 2008. Trail cameras in recent years have shown a cougar in Jo Daviess, Morgan, Pike and Calhoun counties.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
