Commonly Asked Questions About The Canada Lynx

General

What is a Canada lynx? The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), the only lynx in North America, is a rare forest-dwelling cat of northern latitudes. Lynx feed primarily on snowshoe hares but also will eat small mammals and birds. Its range extends from Alaska, throughout much of Canada, to the boreal forests in the northeastern United States, the Great Lakes, the Rocky Mountains, and the Cascade Mountains. The Lynx is a medium-sized cat, similar to the bobcat, but appears somewhat larger. It has longer hind legs and very large well- furred paws, which make it highly adapted to hunting snowshoe hares in the deep snow typical throughout its range. It also has long tufts on the ears and a short, black-tipped tail. Adult males average 22 pounds in weight and 33.5 inches in length with an average weight for females at 19 pounds and 32 inches in length. adult female lynx and survival of young Range And Status What kind of habitats do lynx require? to nearly cease. In the eastern and Great Lakes States, What is the size of the lynx population? lynx live in southern boreal forests that Why are lynx so rare in the contiguous Because the lynx is such a rare animal are considered mixed deciduous- United States? and there are no reliable population coniferous forests. In the western In the contiguous United States, lynx estimates for any region, the size of the States they live in spruce/fir forests at populations occur at naturally low total population in the contiguous higher elevations. Downed logs and densities; the rarity of lynx at the United States is unknown. windfalls provide cover for denning southern portion of the range compared sites, escape, and protection from to more northern populations in Canada What is the range of the lynx in the severe weather. Earlier successional is normal. The rarity of lynx is based contiguous United States? forest stages provide habitat for the largely on limited availability of its The range of the lynx in the contiguous lynx’s primary prey, the snowshoe hare. primary prey, snowshoe hare. At United States includes 14 States— The size of lynx home ranges vary and southern latitudes, low snowshoe hare Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New have been documented between 3 to 300 densities are likely a result of the York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, square miles. Lynx are capable of naturally patchy, transitional boreal Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, moving extremely long distances in habitat. Such habitat prevents hare Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Lynx search of food or to establish new home populations from achieving high infrequently dispersed into Nevada, ranges. Lynx populations rise and fall densities similar to those in the North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, following the cyclic highs and lows of extensive northern boreal forest. Lynx Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia. snowshoe hare populations. When hare in the contiguous United States are populations are low, the change in the part of a larger metapopulation whose With available information, it is lynx’s diet causes the productivity of core is located in central Canada. difficult for us to determine whether resident lynx populations existed Michigan—(Listed as Endangered in however, although two lynx have been historically or currently in many States 1974, again in 1987.) Information is recently collared in Wyoming, available within the contiguous United States. inadequate to determine whether a evidence is inadequate for us to clearly We have conclusive evidence that resident population existed historically determine whether a resident resident populations of lynx currently or currently. population currently exists. exist in Montana, Washington, and likely Maine. We suspect resident Washington—(Listed as Threatened in Colorado—(Listed as Endangered in populations occurred historically in 1993.) Lynx occupy five of the six areas 1975.) Historically a resident Minnesota, Wyoming, and New considered to be lynx management population existed, likely now Hampshire, but current information is zones by the State of Washington. We extirpated. Reintroduction effort inadequate to determine whether these conclude a resident lynx population initiated in 1999. States currently support resident exists in Washington. populations of lynx. It is likely the native resident lynx population in Oregon—(Unregulated.) Information is Management Colorado has been extirpated. We have inadequate to determine whether a inadequate information to determine resident population existed historically Considerations whether resident lynx populations or currently. occurred historically or currently What is the ownership or management within New York, Vermont, Michigan, Idaho—(Furbearer with no open of lynx habitat in the contiguous United Wisconsin, Idaho, Utah, and Oregon. season.) Although numerous historic States? reports, information is inadequate to A substantial amount of lynx habitat is What is the status of lynx in individual determine whether a resident on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of States? (What is the official State population existed historically or Land Management lands—(Cascades status of the lynx?) currently. [99 percent], Northern Rockies [72 Maine—(Lynx are listed as a species of percent], Southern Rockies [82 special concern.) In 1999, nine lynx Montana—(Classified as a Furbearer percent], Great Lakes [19 percent], and were radio-collared and kittens found. with closed season.) We conclude a Northeast [7 percent]). The majority of We conclude a resident lynx population resident lynx population exists in lynx habitat in the Great Lakes and likely exists in Maine. Montana. Northeast is under private, State, or county management. New Hampshire—(Listed as Utah—(Sensitive.) Information is Endangered in 1980.) Numerous inadequate to determine whether a In the west, lynx habitat on large historic records but information is resident population existed historically proportions of these Federal lands is inadequate to determine whether a or currently. managed in “nondevelopmental” status. resident population currently exists. Lands within nondevelopmental Wyoming—(Protected as nongame with allocations are managed to allow Vermont—(Listed as Endangered in no open season since 1973.) We suspect natural ecological processes to 1972.) Information is inadequate to a resident population existed dominate. Nondevelopmental lands determine whether a resident historically in northwestern Wyoming; contain large portions of wilderness or population existed historically, now believed to be extirpated.

New York—(Protected small game with no open season.) Information is inadequate to determine whether a resident population existed historically, now believed to be extirpated. A reintroduction effort during 1987-1989 apparently failed to establish a breeding population.

Minnesota—(Protected game animal with no open season since 1984.) We suspect a resident population existed historically but information is inadequate to determine whether a resident population currently exists.

Wisconsin—(Species of concern, taking prohibited.) Information is inadequate to determine whether a resident population existed historically or currently. other natural areas. Timber harvest and impacts but does not currently threaten numbers appear to have increased. road building typically do not occur or the contiguous United States lynx Lynx co-evolved with mountain lions are very limited in lands managed in population. and bobcats and, in most areas, have nondevelopmental allocations. The coexisted with coyotes for many percent of western lynx habitat in What effect has the increased human decades. We found no evidence that nondevelopmental allocations is— access into lynx habitat had on lynx? competition with species such as Cascades, 85 percent; Northern Human activities, such as winter coyotes, mountain lions, or bobcats is Rockies, 41 percent; and Southern maintenance of roads and trails, negatively affecting lynx at a Rockies, 23 percent. snowmobiling and skiing create packed population-level scale. snow trails that allow coyotes to access Has a change in fire management traditional lynx winter habitat. Are lynx affected by roads? affected the lynx? However, we have no evidence that Lynx movements may be negatively Based on available information on fire competition with coyotes, or other influenced by high traffic volumes on suppression and upon available habitat potential competitors such as bobcats or roads that bisect suitable lynx habitat. assessments, we conclude that at the mountain lions, is negatively affecting We suspect that highways with high present time, fire suppression effects lynx populations. traffic volumes and associated suburban are less significant in lynx habitats than developments inhibit movements in many other forest types in the west How has trapping affected the lynx within home ranges and dispersal and and, therefore, the effects of fire population? may contribute to loss of habitat suppression are not threatening One of the primary reasons we connectivity. Otherwise, however, roads western lynx populations at this time. proposed to list lynx, based on available do not appear to be a significant direct Fire did not play a historically information at the time, was our cause of lynx mortality. We found no significant role in the Northeast; conclusion that the low numbers of lynx information demonstrating that forest therefore, we conclude that fire in the contiguous United States were roads negatively impact resident lynx suppression does not threaten lynx in the residual effects of overtrapping that populations. the Northeast. In the Great Lakes, fire was believed to have occurred in the suppression may have regional or local 1970s and 1980s, in response to Final Listing unprecedented high pelt prices. However, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has we now understand determined that the Canada lynx will that low numbers of be listed as threatened under the lynx in the Endangered Species Act. contiguous United States occur not as a What factors does the U.S. Fish and result of Wildlife Service consider as overtrapping, but significant threats to the continued because lynx and existence of the lynx in the lower 48 their prey are States? naturally limited by We conclude the single factor fragmented habitat, threatening the contiguous United topography, and States distinct population segment of climate compared to the lynx is the inadequacy of existing that in the core of the regulatory mechanisms, specifically the lynx range in central lack of guidance to conserve lynx in Canada. National Forest Land and Resource Management Plans and Bureau of Land Does competition Management Land Use Plans and the with other species potential for these plans to allow or negatively affect direct actions that adversely affect lynx in the lynx. New information available since contiguous United publication of the proposed rule found States? that the majority of lynx habitat, We know that particularly in the Northern Rocky coyotes have greatly Mountains/Cascades and Southern expanded their range Rocky Mountain regions, is located on and that packed snow Federal lands. Federal land trails facilitate the management assumes the largest role movement of coyotes in the conservation of lynx in the into formerly contiguous United States because of the inaccessible deep preponderance of lynx habitat available snow habitats on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of occupied by lynx. Land Management lands. Additionally, mountain lion endangered if they are separated or discrete from other populations and they represent populations with significant biological or ecological value. Once it has been determined that a population has these two elements and therefore meets the definition of a distinct population, the specific population is then evaluated using the five listing factors used to determine if it meets the definition of either threatened or endangered (described above). This policy applies to vertebrate animals that may be endangered or threatened in part of their range but are more numerous elsewhere. The Endangered Species Act protects species, subspecies, and “any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife” which are endangered or threatened.

In the case of the lynx, a distinct population segment means that lynx in the lower 48 United States are considered discreet in that this When does the listing go into effect? species within the foreseeable future population is delineated by an The listing goes into effect 30 days throughout all or a significant portion international political boundary that after publication of the final rule in the of its range. coincides with differences in status and Federal Register. management. In addition, the What protection does the lynx receive population of lynx in the lower 48 What determines if a species meets the from listing as threatened under the States are considered significant definition of endangered or Endangered Species Act? because loss of this population would threatened? The Endangered Species Act requires significantly reduce the range of the The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Agencies to conserve species. must determine if the presence of one endangered and threatened species and or more of the five factors listed below to consult with the U.S. Fish and Why does the distinct population have caused a species’ status to decline Wildlife Service on any actions that segment delineation stop at the to where it meets the definition of might affect the lynx. Canadian border? endangered or threatened: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Upon listing, lynx in the contiguous policy on vertebrate population ■ The present or threatened United States are protected from segments allows for the identification destruction, modification, or “take.” “Take” is defined as: to harass, of distinct population segments curtailment of its habitat or range. harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, following international boundaries trap, capture or collect. Harm may under certain circumstances. With the ■ Overutilization for commercial, include significant habitat modification lynx, there appears to be a difference in recreational, scientific, or educational where it actually kills or injures a listed the population status and management purposes. species through impairment of essential practices of lynx north of the United behavior (e.g., feeding, breeding or States border. ■ Disease or predation. sheltering). Taking is prohibited unless authorized by a special 4(d) rule that How important are the different regions ■ Inadequacy of existing regulatory would provide for the conservation of lynx. to the persistence of the contiguous mechanisms. United States distinct population segment? ■ Other natural or manmade factors Final Listing—Distinct Within the contiguous United States, affecting its continued existence. the relative importance of each region Population Segments (DPS) to the persistence of the Distinct Endangered is defined as any species Population Segment (DPS) varies. The which is in danger of extinction What is a distinct vertebrate Northern Rockies/Cascades Region throughout all or a significant portion population as defined by the supports the largest amount of lynx of its range. Endangered Species Act? habitat and has the strongest evidence Under the Endangered Species Act, of persistent occurrence of resident Threatened refers to any species which populations of species can be listed lynx populations, both historically and is likely to become an endangered individually as threatened or currently. In the Northeast (where resident lynx populations continue to the proportion of managed lynx forest persist) and Southern Rockies regions, types affected, current regional effects the amount of lynx habitat is naturally of timber harvest and thinning appear limited and does not contribute to occur at levels that are not likely substantially to the persistence of the threatening western lynx populations. contiguous United States DPS. Much of the habitat in the Great Lakes Region What impacts will the listing have on is naturally marginal and may not private, State, or County timber support prey densities sufficient to harvest? sustain lynx populations. As such, the In the Northeast and Great Lakes, most Great Lakes Region does not currently lynx habitat is in private, State, or contribute substantially to the County ownership and timber harvest persistence of the contiguous United and associated activities may be States DPS. Collectively, the detrimental to lynx on these lands. Northeast, Great Lakes, and Southern Modifications to private timber Rockies do not constitute a significant management may be necessary in areas portion of the range of the DPS. We where lynx denning is known to occur. conclude the Northern Rockies/ Cascades Region is the primary region Non-federal landowners also have the necessary to support the continued option of entering into a Habitat long-term existence of the contiguous Conservation Agreement which will United States DPS. However, the role provide for the conservation of the lynx that each region plays in the long-term while allowing timber harvest and conservation of the species will be protection against incidental take. explored further in recovery planning How will the listing affect trapping in for the species the contiguous United States? Trapping of lynx will be illegal upon Listing Impacts the date the listing goes into effect. All States (with the exception of Oregon) What has been accomplished to Will listing the lynx shut down logging, and many Tribes within the contiguous address lynx conservation on Federally recreational development, and other United States had already closed their managed lands? activities on Federal lands? lynx trapping and hunting seasons prior The Forest Service, the Bureau of Land No. In the vast majority of cases, to the lynx being listed under the Management (BLM), National Park modifications to reviewed projects are Endangered Species Act. Service (NPS), and the Service possible that reduce or eliminate recognized that Federal agencies have a impacts to listed species, allowing We have been working with States and significant role in the conservation of projects to continue. The Lynx Tribes to ensure that their trapping and lynx. They established a Lynx Steering Conservation Assessment and Strategy, hunting programs for species other Committee in 1998 consisting of developed by the U.S. Forest Service, than lynx do not result in the take of representatives from each agency. The Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. lynx. One option we are planning is the Steering Committee provides oversight Fish and Wildlife Service, provides issuance of a special 4(d) rule to address and guidance to teams established to guidelines for Federal Agencies to conservation of the species by States address various lynx conservation analyze and minimize effects of planned and Tribes in order to minimize the issues on Federal lands. One team and ongoing projects on lynx and lynx potential for lynx to be incidentally developed the Lynx Conservation habitat and recommends lynx taken while ensuring that the legal Assessment and Strategy; another team conservation measures. Compliance hunting and trapping programs can developed the Science Report; a third with the National Forest Management continue. team prepared a biological assessment Act and Federal Land Policy and to evaluate the effects of Forest Service Management Act will reduce any Conservation Agreement and BLM Land Management Plans on restrictions necessary under the lynx. All of these efforts are intended to Endangered Species Act. The Forest Service has signed a plan and implement sound conservation Conservation Agreement with the Fish actions and management decisions for What effect does timber harvest have and Wildlife Service which will lynx on Federal lands. on the lynx? promote the conservation of lynx and Timber harvest activities and its habitat on federal lands. It identifies Why was the Lynx Conservation precommercial thinning may reduce the actions the Forest Service will take to Assessment and Strategy developed? quality of snowshoe hare habitat in reduce or eliminate adverse effects or How will it be used in Section 7 local areas of the Northern Rockies/ risk to the lynx and its habitat. These consultations? Cascades and Southern Rockies and actions are a result of considering the The Lynx Conservation Assessment thus may negatively affect lynx at local new information about the Canada lynx and Strategy (LCAS) was developed to scales. However, based on the large contained in the Lynx Science Report provide a consistent and effective proportion of lynx habitat managed in and the Lynx Conservation Assessment approach to conserving lynx on Federal nondevelopmental status (such as Strategy. lands in the contiguous United States. designated Wilderness) compared to It was developed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), meet any one of the programmatic lynx and captive-bred lynx skins, National Park Service, and the Service. conservation measures in the LCAS. properly tagged with valid CITES The overall goals of the LCAS were to These criteria were denning habitat, export tag. recommend lynx conservation foraging habitat, habitat conversion, measures, provide a basis for reviewing precommercial thinning, fire What about State and Tribal hunting the adequacy with regard to lynx management, landscape patterns, forest and trapping programs? conservation of Forest Service and roads, developed recreation, non-winter The Service has also developed an BLM land and resource management dispersed recreation, winter dispersed addition to the special 4(d) rule that plans, and facilitate conferencing and recreation, minerals and energy, habitat will address the take of lynx that may consultation under section 7 of the Act, connectivity, land tenure adjustments, result incidentally from State and should the lynx be listed. It will also management coordination, and Tribal regulated hunting and trapping provide a blueprint to guide recovery monitoring. Individually, these criteria programs. This addition to the special efforts. may not impart substantial impacts on rule is in the review process and is the DPS, however, current Plans do expected to be published soon followed What was the determination of the allow actions that cumulatively could by a public comment period. draft biological assessment (DBA) of result in significant detrimental effects the effects of National Forest Service to the DPS. We cannot predict the and BLM Land Management Plans on future levels of impacts to lynx that lynx? would result from continued The DBA determined that Federal land implementation of current Plans. management plans are likely to However, the DBA concludes that there adversely affect the lynx. The DBA is reasonable potential for adverse identified potential effects resulting effects to lynx as a result of actions from 57 Forest Service Land and directed or allowed by existing Plans. Resource Management Plans (Plans) and 56 BLM Land Use Plans (Plans) Special 4(d) Rule within the 16-State area where lynx were proposed for listing. The direction The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found in the Plans was compared to included in the final listing a special direction proposed in the LCAS. If it 4(d) rule that will allow for the take and was determined that a Plan may export of lawfully obtained captive- adversely affect either an individual bred lynx. lynx or a population segment through failure to meet any one of the What are the requirements for captive- programmatic conservation measures bred lynx? in the LCAS, then the Plan was deemed The special rule provides for the take of overall as likely to adversely affect lawfully obtained captive-bred lynx lynx. In other words, a risk was deemed without permit. It allows us to issue harmful to lynx if the possibility of any CITES export permits for captive-bred adverse effect existed due to Plan direction or if the Plans did not address lynx conservation issues.

The Federal agencies chose a conservative approach in determining whether Plans might result in adverse effects to lynx. The determination was based only on what the Plans directed or allowed, not on a quantitative assessment of the effects to lynx from actual actions as a result of past or current implementation of the Plans. We acknowledge that many activities allowed by Plans, such as timber harvest and road construction, are never carried out for a variety of reasons, such as funding limitations and environmental, wildlife or policy considerations.

The DBA evaluated 15 criteria that may contribute to some level of adverse effects to either an individual lynx or a population segment through failure to