Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis cougar memorialized through help of taxidermy
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A full circle moment for a cougar that left a lasting impression on Minneapolis’ Lowry Hill neighborhood in 2023.
Its rare presence was captured on several ring cameras before it met an unfortunate fate on Interstate 394.
Cougar to be on display in Kenwood neighborhood
What we know:
You may remember this cougar, it made headlines for strolling through the Lowry Hill neighborhood. Shortly after the sighting, it was hit by a vehicle on I-394. The community raised money to have it taxidermied in Grand Rapids.
“When I received the Lion it was frozen and whole. And so because it was such a large animal, it took a while for that to thaw and then I had to skin it,” said Taxidermist Meadow Kouffeld.
Preparing the cougar
What it took:
Kouffeld has been working hard to have the big cat be ready by the end of April, and she had to get creative about it.
“This is actually that Lion’s skull. A lot of people think this is what is underneath the skin. But the reality is, it’s a foam sculpture,” said Kouffeld.
Putting the cougar together
What the experts say:
To get the mountain lion in this shape took lots of work. It wasn’t something that took a day or week.
“I actually spent 24 hours the weekend I mounted the lion just working on the lion. From shaving the forum and prepping it,” said Kouffeld.
Then the hard part, finding eyes for it. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine made it difficult to get ones that match the cougar.
“A lot of our really good glass and Pollyeyes come from that region of the world, so they’ve become increasingly difficult to get,” said Kouffeld.
The taxidermist adds, there’s only been three cougars killed on the roadway since 2008. So this is something rare.
What’s next
Timeline:
The Lowry Hill cougar will be unveiled at the Kenwood Rec Center on April 26.
San Antonio Spurs (62-20, second in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) Minneapolis; Sunday,…
San Antonio Spurs (62-20, second in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Sunday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Spurs -4.5; over/under is 215.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Spurs lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference second round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Spurs won the last meeting 115-108 on Saturday, led by 39 points from Victor Wembanyama. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 32.
The Timberwolves are 31-21 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota is sixth in the Western Conference with 33.0 defensive rebounds per game led by Rudy Gobert averaging 7.5.
The Spurs are 36-16 against Western Conference opponents. San Antonio is fourth in the Western Conference with 16.3 fast break points per game led by Julian Champagnie averaging 3.0.
The Timberwolves’ 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.8 more made shots on average than the 13.0 per game the Spurs allow. The Spurs average 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Timberwolves allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves. Naz Reid is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Wembanyama is averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks for the Spurs. De’Aaron Fox is averaging 18.6 points and 6.2 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 111.1 points, 47.3 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 6.1 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game.
Spurs: 7-3, averaging 116.9 points, 46.5 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 7.7 steals and 7.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.5 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: Donte DiVincenzo: out for season (leg).
Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Minneapolis, MN
‘The power of truth:’ How high school students reported on the ICE surge in their front yard
Residents of a northeast Minneapolis apartment were seen evacuating the building after fire crews were called to the scene on Friday morning.
This all happened around 3 a.m. near 5th Street and 7th Avenue Northeast near Saint Anthony Park.
A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS crew says that multiple fire crews were on scene and several residents were seen evacuating.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to Minneapolis Fire for more information.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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