Canada lynx found in Michigan was returned to the wild after rehabilitation

By: Becca Davila

Posted: Apr 15, 2019 3:48 PM EST

Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Cody Norton, left, and DNR wildlife technician Don Brown bring a Canada lynx from their truck to a release site in Schoolcraft County.

A female Canada lynx captured in Sanilac County looks out of a wildlife carrier just before being released safely to the wild.

With a cautious glance, a female Canada lynx walks free from a wildlife carrier into a Schoolcraft County forest.

A female Canada lynx walks free into the afternoon air April 12, 2019, in Schoolcraft County.

This was one of the last good looks at the cat before it disappeared into the woods.

SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY, Mich. -- A rare and endangered lynx was nursed back to health and released into the wild on Monday.

The lynx was discovered on a farm in north eastern Michigan in March, when a report said a possible lynx was preying on domestic geese.

The female cat, believed to be less than a year old, measured just over 4 feet long and weighed 18 pounds.

She was treated for a foot wound, parasites and dehydration at Howell Nature Center in Michigan and was transferred to the Detroit Zoological Society for further health assessments.

“The DNA of this lynx is consistent with DNA from lynx in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. and Canada,” said Kristy Pilgrim, laboratory supervisor at the center.

The lynx was taken north and released by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Detroit Zoological Society.

She was released in Schoolcraft County near abundant food sources, such as snowshoe hare and beaver.

This location is also remote and has large contiguous blocks of public lands and little human development.

Canada lynx are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

All photos courtesy of of Michigan Department of Natural Resources

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