For the first time in more than 100 years, cougar cubs have been discovered living in the Michigan wild.

State biologists on Wednesday confirmed the existence of two cougar cubs on private land in Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula. The spotted cubs, believed to be seven to nine weeks old, were verified from photographic evidence taken March 6 by a resident.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says this is the first time cougar cubs have been verified since the big cats were hunted out of existence in Michigan in the early 1900s.

DNR large carnivore specialist Brian Roell says, “It’s pretty exciting.” He says this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states. The DNR has verified 132 adult cougar reports, Roell said, but DNA testing has confirmed only male cougars to date.

The cubs have not been spotted since March 6, and Roell says it’s not known if they’re even still alive. He said cougars are on the list of endangered mammals in Michigan, meaning it’s illegal to hunt or harass them, which includes trying to locate their den.