Canada Lynx

A 30 pound male lynx being released on the Colville Indian Reservation.

 

The CTFW, in partnership with Conservation Northwest, Upper Columbia United Tribes, Okanagan Nation Alliance, and others, have been capturing lynx in Canada and relocating them to the Colville Indian Reservation. The goal of the project is to establish a stable, reproductive population of Canada lynx within the reservation and North Half. In order to achieve this goal, we began a trap and transport effort in 2021 to relocate up to 50 Canada lynx to the reservation that is scheduled to take approximately 5 years.

Project details:

  • Nine adult lynx were released on the Colville Indian Reservation (CIR) by mid-February 2022.

  • CTFW has received support and funding from the BIA’ Endangered Species Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Tribal Wildlife Grant, Conservation Northwest and others.

  • In Washington state, lynx are listed as a federally threatened species, their range includes the North Cascades, primarily north of Lake Chelan and east of Ross Lake, including the Pasayten Wilderness and Loomis State Forest as well as a few animals in the Kettle River Mountain Range and Selkirk Mountains. Lynx are among the most endangered felines in North America, with only a few hundred animals suspected to remain in the lower 48 states.

  • In late 2016, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife listed lynx as endangered in our state.

  • Currently, biologists estimate that fewer than 50 lynx remain in Washington.

  • 10 more lynx were relocated to the CIR in November 2022.

STORIES AND INFORMATION

Colville Confederated Tribes and Project Partners Release Canada Lynx in Eastern Washington PDF

Tribe Works with Group Leaders to Relocate Lynx from Canada PDF

Is it a Lynx or Bobcat? PDF

In Eastern Washington, the Canada Lynx Makes a Comeback: Sierra Magazine link

10 Canada Lynx find new home at Colville Indian Reservation: KXLY News link

Colville Tribe releases 9 lynx into Washington’s Kettle Range: Spokesman link

In bringing back wild lynx, Confederated Colville tribes hope to right historical wrongs and restore balance to wildlife on the landscape: Inlander link

Colville Tribe biologists say lynx reintroduction showing promise in its second year: Spokane Public Radio link