Cougar's presence confirmed in Yukon

The Yukon Government says it has its first proof that cougars are moving north into the Yukon.

It's been speculated for years that cougars may be present in the territory... and there have been several unconfirmed sightings.

But now government Spokesperson Dennis Senger says a couple out walking near Watson Lake on the weekend discovered the body of a cougar.

"It really confirms a lot of suspicions and speculations over the years about whether cougars would come this far north so it's the first actual recovery of a cougar's body inside the Yukon Territory," said Senger.

Conservation officers are still investigating the find. The big cat's body will be examined for information about how it died. But Senger says initial indications are the cougar may have died of starvation.