Defenders' Experts
Canada Lynx
Suffering from heavy
trapping and habitat degradation, the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) has become exceedingly rare in the lower 48
states. It is unknown how many remain, but Montana and Washington appear to be the only states with significant
populations. For the
last two decades, Defenders has been actively involved in assuring that this
reclusive forest carnivore is federally protected and action is taken to recover
lynx populations.
More than 25 million acres of lynx habitat now protected!
On Feb. 25, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its designation of critical habitat for the Canada lynx from Maine to Washington State. While the decision fell short in some key areas - such as excluding important lynx habitat in Colorado - it is one of the largest "critical habitat" designations in the history of the Endangered Species Act, and significantly boosts our ability to protect the most important areas of lynx habitat in the lower 48.
In the Field
Despite the fact that lynx pose little threat to people and livestock, several lynx have been illegally killed in the last few years. To try to halt this, Defenders has offered rewards in hopes of catching the lynx killer.Management and Policy
Hunting, trapping and habitat loss have all contributed to decreasing populations of lynx. Defenders has been working for two decades to draw attention to the plight of the lynx, provide it with federal protection under the Endangered Species Act, and protect critical lynx habitat.
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