Cool cats collared

After a lynx has recovered from grogginess, biologists allow it to trot off into the winter forest landscape of northeast Washington. DNR photo

These Canada lynx might not realize that the slightly heavy handling by DNR and state Fish and Wildlife is because we care about them. But we do.
 
Improving and preserving high-quality lynx habitat is an important job that Washington State DNR has been working on with many partners. DNR-managed state trust lands and natural areas are an important part of this effort. A high elevation boreal forest composed of Engelmann spruce, sub-alpine fir and lodgepole pine supports the lynx—and the snowshoe hare that is its main diet. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) has been listed as threatened, both in the state of Washington and under the federal Endangered Species Act. To find out what areas the lynx are using, DNR and partners catch and collar the cats and record their movements. This helps DNR make decisions about how to manage the lands to earn revenue for public schools while supporting lynx habitat.

DNR recently has finished the fifth trapping and collaring season in this winter landscape, which ran from February 1 through April 10 of this year. The cooperative research effort is lead by Scott Fisher, a DNR Northeast Region Biologist.

This year, DNR and partners have collared four previously un-collared male lynx and re-collared another male from last season. Four lynx are residing primarily on Loomis State Forest state trust lands, while one is mainly on adjoining United States Forest Service (USFS) land. All collared lynx are outfitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars. To date, the team has collared a total of 14 lynx and amassed over 10,000 GPS locations for their movements.

Location data is now being sampled during the summer months to determine if lynx select and use habitat differently throughout the year. This aspect of the study is part of a Master’s thesis out of the Washington State University (WSU) Carnivore Lab, headed by Dr. Rob Wielgus. Thus far, they have sampled the collar data from three lynx during the summer of 2010 and plan on completing the sampling for three additional lynx in 2011. 

More than a decade ago—in response to the lynx listing and to help in the recovery—DNR developed a Lynx Habitat Management Plan for state trust lands in eastern Washington.

This project includes partners such as the US Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) grants and volunteers, WSU, University of Washington, Conservation Northwest, Seattle City Light, and the Oregon Zoo.