Brief by Central Staff
Wildlife – July 2003 – Colorado Central Magazine
Colorado’s re-introduced lynx appear to have figured out the facts of life last winter: after several years without breeding, eight kittens were found this spring.
The first kittens were discovered on May 21 in a den beneath an Englemann spruce at 10,600 feet in the San Juan mountains. Another pair was discovered on May 25 in the same area, but at 11,200 feet — the highest lynx den ever found in North America. And on May 25, four kittens were found in a den under a downed log in the San Juans.
Division of Wildlife researchers know where to look for lynx, since many of them have radio collars. Tanya Shenk, the lead researcher, said that the kittens were disturbed only for a few minutes, and that studies have shown that such brief contacts do not disturb the bonding between mothers and their kittens.
Before the importation of 41 Canadian lynx in 1999, the most recent confirmed lynx sighting was in 1967 in the Vail area. Lynx greatly resemble common bobcats, but have tufted ears as well as big paws that allow them to travel in deep snow.
In 2000, the state imported 55 lynx, and 33 were brought in this spring. The state hopes to release 50 in 2004 and another 50 in 2005.
The DOW currently tracks 63 lynx. Another 45 are confirmed dead, mostly from guns and vehicles. The state of others is unknown — they’ve either slipped their collars, or their batteries have run down.
There may be more births reported this year. Radio signals indicated that nine pairs were together during breeding season.
“For some of the lynx,” Shenk said, “all of the factors necessary for successful reproduction have come together.” These include having a female and a male in the same area for one to two years, and having sufficient prey — lynx prefer snowshoe hares — so they’re in good condition.
Some female lynx, she said, have not established stable territories, while others have, but not in areas where males are nearby.
Greg Walcher, director of the state’s Department of Natural Resources, said the births “represent an enormous milestone in species recovery. To be able to say we actually left Colorado a better place than we found it, we must be willing to do more than just say we care about endangered species. We must be willing to actually work toward recovering these magnificent animals.”