I think Rex brings up a valid point. Those reporting sightings of unusual or out-of-place animals often face derision and mockery for even coming forward.
And there's also the monetary factor. If the spotted owl can severely impact the North American timber industry, what do you suppose the official acknowledgement of a dwindling population of bipedal, forest dwelling hominids would do? Granted that's an extreme example, but even if we use the cougar instead there's still the matter of a possible negative impact on tourism, probable restrictions of building and habitat encroachment, concern over grade school placement, hiking trail development, etc.
