IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Shenk, T.M.; Kahn, R.H.; Byrne, G.; Kenvin, D.; Wait, S.; Seidel, J.; Mumma, J. | |
| Canada lynx (_Lynx canadensis_) reintroduction in Colorado | |
| 2009 Book Chapter | |
The Canada lynx (_Lynx canadensis_) occurs throughout the boreal forests of northern North America. Colorado represents the southern-most historical distribution of lynx, where the species occupied the higher elevation, montane forests in the state. Lynx were extirpated or reduced to a few animals in the state by the late 1970's. Given the isolation of Colorado to the nearest northern populations, the Colorado Division of Wildlife considered reintroduction as the only option to attempt to reestablish the species in the state. The goal of the Colorado lynx reintroduction programme is to establish a viable population of lynx in this state. Evaluation of incremental achievements is an interim method of assessing if the reintroduction effort is progressing towards success. There are seven critical criteria for achieving a viable population: 1) development of release protocols that lead to a high initial post-release survival of reintroduced animals; 2) long-term survival of lynx in Colorado; 3) development of site fidelity by the lynx to areas supporting good habitat in densities sufficient to breed; 4) reintroduced lynx must breed; 5) breeding must lead to reproduction of surviving kittens; 6) lynx born in Colorado must reach breeding age and reproduce successfully, and 7) recruitment must be equal to or greater than mortality. The first lynx were released in Colorado in February 1999. Site fidelity and survival were documented through intensive monitoring of individuals through telemetry. Reproduction was first documented during the 2003 reproduction season. Successful breeding seasons were documented in 2004, 2005 and 2006. A female lynx born in Colorado in 2004 was the mother of one of these litters which documented the first recruitment of Colorado-born lynx into the Colorado breeding population. Results to date have demonstrated that the Colorado Division of Wildlife has developed release protocols that ensure high initial post-release survival followed by high longterm survival, site fidelity, reproduction and recruitment of Colorado-born lynx into the Colorado breeding population. What is yet to be demonstrated is whether Colorado can support sufficient recruitment to offset annual mortality for a viable lynx population over time. Monitoring continues in an effort to document such viability. |
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