Durango – Lynx apparently enjoyed their best reproductive season since the state Division of Wildlife reintroduced the species to the Colorado mountains in 1999.
DOW researchers announced Tuesday that they found 16 litters spread throughout central and southern ranges. The 16 mothers gave birth to a total of 46 kittens – 21 females and 25 males.
The numbers and trend are a strong indication that lynx are adapting well and again thriving in their historical range, DOW spokesman Joe Lewandowski said.
There were probably more lynx that were born, but the annual spring survey can’t track all the animals. Last year, researchers documented that 14 lynx gave birth to 39 kittens. Lynx kittens usually are born between mid-May and mid-June.
“Not only are we finding more litters, but some females are having second and third annual litters in their established home ranges with the same mate,” lynx field researcher Tanya Shenk said. “We are starting to see a stable social structure evolve and family relationships become established.”
Releases in the next few years probably will be sized to help offset deaths among lynx, but officials hope to rely on natural reproduction to build the lynx population, Lewandowski said.
The state’s reintroduction program so far has released 204 lynx from Canadian provinces and recorded 101 Colorado-born kittens. Researchers are monitoring 118 lynx with active radio collars. Of the 204 released animals, wildlife officials believe 63 have died.
The high mortality rates of the program’s first two years, when 26 and 24 released animals died, have been dramatically reduced. The past three years, 2003-05, saw the total loss of 13 released lynx. Wildlife officials believe the survival rate improved because they changed release procedures.
They allowed lynx to acclimate in pens in Colorado for at least a month. Releases occur after April 1, when lynx are in peak condition and food sources, mostly small mammals, are abundant.
Staff writer Electa Draper can be reached at 970-385-0917 or edraper@denverpost.com.
