Laserfiche WebLink
In Colorado. Shenk: (2003. 2004) rer)ortec the first lynx kittens born to lynx reintroduced to <br />Colorado on Nlav 21. 2003_ Six den sites were documented in 2003 with a total of 16 kittens <br />found. Den sites documented in 2003 were at elevations ran2mL, from 10.630 - 11.670 feet. In <br />the spring of 2004. 11 dens sites were reported with a total of 30 kittens and den sites ranging <br />from 8.701 - 11.680 feet elevation (Shenk 2004). Shenk (2005a) reported that dunnL, Mav-June <br />2005. 16 dens were visited and found a total of 46 kittens. <br />Mortality - Reported causes of lynx mortality vary between studies. The most commonly <br />reported causes include starvation of kittens (Quinn and Parker 1987; Koehler 1990), and <br />human-caused mortality, mostly fur trapping (Ward and Krebs 1985; Bailey et al. 1986). <br />Significant lynx mortality due to starvation has been demonstrated in cyclic populations of the <br />northern taiga, during the first two years of hare scarcity (Poole 1994; Slough and Mowat 1996). <br />Various studies have shown that, during periods of low snowshoe hare numbers, starvation can <br />account for up to two-thirds of all natural lynx deaths. Trapping mortality may be additive rather <br />than compensatory during the low period of the snowshoe hare cycle (Brand and Keith 1979). <br />Hunger-related stress, which induces dispersal, may increase the exposure of lynx to other forms <br />of mortality such as trapping and highway collisions (Brand and Keith 1979; Carbon and <br />Patriquin 1983, Ward and Krebs 1985; Bailey et al. 1986). <br />Paved roads have been a mortality factor in lynx translocation efforts within historical lynx <br />ranS(ze. In New York, 18 translocated Ivnx were killed on hiuhwavs (Brocke et al. 1990). It has <br />been sug?zested b\ Brocke et al. (1990) that translocated animals may be more vulnerable to <br />highway mortality than resident lynx. Nine lynx have been killed on 2- and 4-lane Colorado <br />• highways following their release as part of a reintroduction effort (Shenk 2005b). <br />Other than translocated animals, there have been documented occurrences of highway mortality <br />of lynx in Wisconsin (Theil 1987), Minnesota (DonCarlos 1994; J. Cochrane, Service, pers. <br />comm. 2003), and Montana (G. Joslin, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, pers. <br />comm. 2003). <br />Predation on Ivnx by mountain lion (Felix concolon), coyote (Ca71iS latr-ans), wolverine (Gu10 <br />gulo), gray wolf (Canis lupus), fisher (Mantes penncnzti) and other lynx has been confirmed <br />(Berrie 1974; Koehler et al. 1979; Poole 1994; Slouch and Mowat 1996; O'Donoghue et al. <br />1997; Apps 2000; Vashon et al. 2003; Squires and Laurion 2000). Squires and Laurion (2000) <br />reported 2 of 6 mortalities of radio-collared lynx in Montana were due to mountain lion <br />predation. Observations of such events are rare, and the significance of predation on lynx <br />populations is unknown. <br />Movement and Dispersal - Daily movement distances vary. Ward and Krebs (1985) documented <br />an increase in daily cruising radius from 2.7 kin (1.6 miles) durinL, moderate to high hare <br />densities. to 5.4 kin (3.2 miles) during low hare densities (<0.5 hares,ha or <0.2 hares/acre). <br />Parker et al. (1983) reported a female's daily cruising distance as 8.8 km (5.3 mi) in winter and <br />10 kin (6 mi) in summer. <br />Ongoing studies in Montana. Wvomirng and southern British Columbia have documented <br />expioratorv movements b? resident Ivnx during the summer months ('Apps 2000. Squires and <br />Laurion 20U0?. _?ubrv et al. ()000 described this type of movement as long-distance mo % ements <br />