They are there, and they are protected as well, although they aren't flourishing there, from what I've heard. They have to compete with black bears(which are more common) for food.
And people had been sighting them off and on for years up there. Hadn't heard about the cats though.
I've heard cougars have been seen up North. I've never seen one. Don't want to either. I have seen bears(Near Waters), which are extending their range southward.
Well lo and behold, this rather large black bear saunters out about 20 yards in front of me ( fortunately, my colon wasn't full ). Well, it snorted ( warning signal ) and bolted into the woods, followed by two cubs.
Thought to myself, " wow, that was kind of cool, even if a little disconcerting ", and took a step forward only to hear some rustling in the grass. Thought the best of it and stepped back, to have a third cub come tumbling out.
We stared at each other for a few seconds before the third cub went after momma.
I've seen all kinds of bear sign up there recently. Also know of a situation where some bear hunters were warned about a wolf pair training their cubs. Hunters kept sending dogs into the 'perimeter' of the suspected area of the wolves. Hunters got smart after the 3rd dog didn't come back. Wolves killed all three.