No Lynx Kittens Found During Annual Search
The Colorado Division of Wildlife recently completed its annual search for lynx kittens. No dens with kittens were found this year.
Although disappointing, the result was not completely unexpected given the biology of lynx and snowshoe hares, their primary prey item. DOW biologists and researchers believe that the lack of lynx reproduction is most likely due to a decline in snowshoe hare numbers. A decline in the number of snowshoe hares might be part of a natural cycle in hare abundance. In Canada, it is well known that the population of lynx fluctuates with the cycles of snowshoe hare population. No formal studies have been conducted to determine if snowshoe hare populations fluctuate in Colorado.
To learn more about hare populations, the agency started a study in early 2006. Initial results will be available this fall.
In the spring of 2006, DOW researchers found only four lynx dens and a total of 11 kittens, a large decline from the three previous years. Researchers now suspect that this was an indication that the drop in the snowshoe hare population might have started in late 2005 or early 2006.
Most of the lynx are fitted with radio telemetry collars so researchers continually track the animals. DOW biologists estimate that at least 125 cats are alive. Trapping operations last winter found that adult animals were in good physical condition. But few of the kittens born in 2005 and 2006 survived.
Studies from Canada show that snowshoe hare population cycles last from two to four years. DOW officials speculate that this could be the second year of a cycle.
“With the number of lynx currently in Colorado, we believe they could go two or three years without reproduction and still have enough survivors to rebuild the population,” said Rick Kahn, lead biologist for the reintroduction effort. “We’ll continue our intensive monitoring efforts and data analysis and wait to see what happens next year.”
No lynx will be brought from Canada for release in the spring of 2008. No new lynx were released last winter because of the low reproduction rate during 2006. Biologists were concerned that adding more cats could disrupt some of the lynx natural social structures or contribute to food-shortage problems.
The DOW started planning the lynx reintroduction program in 1997; cats were released in Colorado’s southern mountains in 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. A total of 218 lynx have been reintroduced. The cats were brought to Colorado from Alaska and Canada.
A total of 116 lynx kittens are known to have been born in Colorado: 16 kittens in 2003; 39 kittens in 2004; 50 kittens in 2005; 11 kittens in 2006.
The lynx reintroduction program is funded by the DOW, private donations and Great Outdoors Colorado which receives its funding through the Colorado State Lottery.
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