Wilmette police investigate after reported cougar sightings

Suburban Chicago authorities are investigating after receiving several calls reporting alleged cougar sightings.

Wilmette police say they received calls from four residents on Sunday morning claiming they'd spotted an animal thought to be a cougar near a Chicago Transit Authority station.

Police searched the area, but did not locate the animal.

Officials with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Lake County Forest Preserve are also investigating.

Confirmed cougar sightings are rare in Illinois.

One confirmed cougar was found dead in 2004 near New Boston in northwest Illinois. Another was found in 2000 near Chester, about 60 miles southeast of St. Louis.