The Canada lynx, a wild cat recognized by its distinctive features and elusive nature, roams the high-elevation forests of Colorado. These animals, once nearly extirpated from the state, have made a remarkable return thanks to dedicated conservation efforts.
Lynx Presence in Colorado
By the mid-1970s, the lynx population in Colorado was considered extirpated, or reduced to only a few individuals, after having been rare since the 1930s. The last confirmed sighting prior to reintroduction efforts was near Vail in 1973. Today, lynx are present in Colorado, successfully re-established through reintroduction programs.
The Colorado Lynx Reintroduction Program
The reintroduction of the Canada lynx in Colorado represents a major conservation undertaking. Trapping, poisoning, and habitat loss contributed to the disappearance of lynx from the state. In 1997, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) began planning this ambitious effort. Between 1999 and 2006, 218 lynx were translocated from Alaska and Canadian provinces into Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.
The initial releases faced challenges, with some lynx dying from starvation. Biologists adjusted protocols, holding wild-caught lynx in captivity for longer and releasing them when more natural food was available, improving survival rates. By 2003, the first kittens born to reintroduced lynx were documented. By 2006, the population was meeting benchmarks for survival and reproduction, with current estimates suggesting a population of 75-100 individual animals in Colorado.
Where Lynx Live in Colorado
Lynx in Colorado primarily inhabit high-elevation, dense subalpine forests. These environments, characterized by deep snow, provide ideal conditions for their survival. They are often found in areas with willow-choked corridors along mountain streams and avalanche chutes. These specific habitats support their primary prey, the snowshoe hare.
The large paws of lynx, which act like snowshoes, give them an advantage in navigating deep snow, allowing them to pursue hares more effectively than other predators. While they can be found throughout western Colorado’s mountain ranges, they are most concentrated in the San Juan Mountains and the Sawatch Range. The quality of lynx habitat generally decreases from south to north in Colorado, with the San Juans offering the best conditions.
Identifying a Colorado Lynx
Identifying a Canada lynx involves observing several distinct physical characteristics. They are medium-sized wildcats with long legs and large, furred paws that are disproportionately larger than those of other similar cats, helping them traverse deep snow. Lynx possess long, triangular ears tipped with prominent black tufts, typically longer than one inch. Their tails are short and bobbed, with a completely black tip.
Their coat is generally a grizzled grayish-brown, often appearing bland compared to the more reddish-brown and distinctly spotted fur of bobcats. Lynx also have longer hind legs than their front legs, giving them a somewhat stooped appearance.
Conservation and Legal Protections
The Canada lynx holds conservation status both in Colorado and federally. In Colorado, the lynx has been listed as a state endangered species since 1976. Federally, the Canada lynx was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2000. This designation applies to lynx populations in the contiguous United States, including Colorado.
This status provides protections against hunting or harassment and mandates efforts for their recovery. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages and monitors the lynx population. Efforts include research, habitat protection, and monitoring population trends and reproduction. Despite successful reintroduction, factors such as habitat loss and fragmentation from development, wildfires, and climate change continue to pose threats to lynx populations.