Apparently extirpated from the State by 1973, lynx would not be seen in Colorado for more than 25 years. Then, in 1999, the Division of Wildlife began a reintroduction program, relocating lynx from their homes in western Canada to the rugged terrain of the San Juan Mountains.
Initially plagued by setbacks, this ambitious program finally achieved success in 2003 when the first litter was produced by transplanted adults; an even more significant milestone was reached in 2006, when a female, born in Colorado, gave birth to a litter of kits. As of 2007, more than 215 lynx had been reintroduced to the State and over 115 births had been documented; however, losses to predation, disease, malnutrition and accidents have kept the current Colorado population near 200 individuals.
Lynx are medium-sized felines, distinguished from the more common bobcat by their long legs, black ear tufts and large, furred paws. Adults, which average 20 lbs., are secretive, solitary hunters, often roaming widely in search of prey; while snowshoe hares are favored, they also feed on mice, grouse and red squirrels. Mating occurs in late winter and 2-4 kits are born in mid spring. While their numbers are difficult to know with certainty, less than 1500 lynx are thought to reside in the lower 48, all across the northern tier of States or in the northern and central Rockies (including those released in Colorado).
The wanderlust of the lynx has become evident during the course of Colorado's program. Collared with a radio transmitter, lynx released in the San Juans have turned up from Idaho to Arizona and from Nevada to the Great Plains; indeed, a lynx that was caught in western Kansas in January, 2007 (and returned to Colorado), was struck by a car in Iowa, in August of that year. Wildlife biologists, while optimistic, indicate that the success of the relocation program will not be known for another ten years. Our efforts to manipulate nature, however well-intentioned, are never guaranteed!
