DOW trackers find lynx kittens, search for more
by Todd Malmsbury
Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) tracking
crews found seven lynx kittens born to two mothers over the Memorial
Day weekend, marking the second year in a row reproduction has
been documented in the agency’s ongoing reintroduction program.
A Yukon female released in 2000 was found May 29 with
four healthy kittens beneath the roots of a live Engelmann spruce
at 11,000 feet in a rugged, remote area of southwestern Colorado.
An Alaskan female released in 2000 was discovered on May 31 with
three healthy kittens hidden away in downed timber in a forest
of Englemann spruce and subalpine fir at 11,000 feet in the same
general area.
Last year DOW trackers confirmed that at least sixteen
lynx kittens had been born in Colorado, the first recorded births
since lynx were first released in 1999. Neither of the lynx that
had kittens this spring gave birth last year.
“This is another important milestone in our ongoing
effort to restore lynx to the state,” said Rick Kahn, coordinator
of the DOW’s lynx recovery team. “The kittens born this year are
another strong indication that the lynx we have released are establishing
a population that has the potential to expand and become self-sustaining
in the future.”
Kahn emphasized that while the program has accomplished
many key goals, two more important milestones must occur before
the recovery effort can be called a success.
“The next step will be for lynx born in Colorado to
have young of their own,” Kahn said. “The entire effort won’t
be complete until the number of lynx that live to be adults exceeds
the number of mortalities each year.”
Led by researcher Tanya Shenk, the tracking crew used
radio-tracking equipment in DOW aircraft to locate the females.
Then they hiked or snowshoed into the area and used hand-held
equipment that picked up signals emitted from the collars worn
by the lynx mothers. The four kittens found on May 29--three females
and a male--were found with their mother on the edge of a band
of cliffs that dropped off to a steep talus slope, Shenk said.
The crew used snowshoes in extremely rugged terrain to reach the
site.
Two Yukon males released in 2000 were tracked in the
area, so one is likely the father. Males and females are together
only during the mating season.
The three kittens found on May 31--two females and
a male--were with their mother in what Shenk described as “very
classic lynx denning habitat. There were lots of snowshoe hares
in the area.” Snowshoe hares are the primary prey of lynx, particularly
during the winter when other prey species are less abundant.
Shenk said a British Columbian male released in 1999
with distinctive white feet had been documented in the area and
there were signs that another male with an inoperable collar was
also in the vicinity. Collars stop functioning when the batteries
that power them run down.
“The male kitten in the litter has four white feet
and the two females have white toes so the British Columbian male
is the likely father,” she said.
“We believe their may be more females with kittens
this spring and we will continue our efforts to confirm more births,”
Shenk said.
The DOW has released 167 lynx in Colorado since the
program began in 1999. Up to 50 more lynx will be released next
year with another 15 each in 2006 and 2007, said Scott Wait, the
DOW’s area biologist in southwestern Colorado.
“We are already working with officials in several
Canadian provinces to arrange for the trapping and transport of
lynx next winter,” Wait said. So far, lynx have come from British
Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, the Yukon Territory and Alaska.
Once lynx are captured, they are taken to a private
wildlife rehabilitation facility near the San Luis Valley said
Chuck Wagner, the area biologist who coordinates DOW efforts while
lynx are held until their release.
“The facility has been critical in allowing us to
hold lynx so we can be sure they’re in peak condition when they
are released,” Wagner said.
Other major milestones in the effort include:
