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Endangered Species
> Lynx
Lynx
Lynx are a critically imperiled
forest wildcat. In the U.S. they historically inhabited
forested areas in the Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great
Lakes, and Northeast. Today, their numbers are severely
depleted from trapping and habitat destruction. Fewer
than 1,000 of them are thought to exist in the lower 48
states. Lynx face severe threats in the Southern Rockies
region, including inappropriate logging practices, ski
resort developments, interstate highways, and
irresponsible snowmobile use; therefore, full Endangered
Species Act protection – including critical habitat
designation – is necessary.
The reintroduction of the highly
imperiled lynx into Colorado began in 1999. To date 129
lynx have been released with an additional 130 lynx
expected to be released before 2007. Conservation and
animal protection groups heavily critiqued the initial
reintroduction efforts given a deeply flawed protocol –
or lack thereof – which included reintroducing kittens
and lynx injured from leghold traps in Canada. Lynx were
originally petitioned for ESA listing in 1994, but not
listed until 2000 after much foot-dragging by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
For specific questions about our efforts to protect endangered species,
contact Dr. Nicole Rosmarino,
endangered species program director.
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