Get in sync with the lynx

Deep snow is s(no)w problem for this big-footed cat ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Canada Lynx walking through snow © Lisa Hupp/USFWS] My, what big paws you have! What’s a Canada lynx? It’s not a bobcat or a sphynx – it’s a snow-loving hunter! The Canada lynx is a medium-sized cat that stands out from rest, thanks to recognizable ears and big, furry paws that act like snowshoes. If you’re lucky enough to see one of these very elusive cats, you can tell them apart from bobcats by their black ear tufts, stubby tails and a beautiful coat with a golden-brown gradient and white tummy. Where can they be found? Canada lynx aren’t just found in Canada; they live along the northern border and in mountainous regions of the U.S. Once widespread, they were cut back to a fraction of their range in the 19th century by hunters and trappers. Now just six populations of lynx are still around in the lower 48 states. Efforts have been made to reintroduce them to parts of their former range like New York and Colorado. So what's happening now? Lynx in the lower 48 are in trouble – they need lots of snowy habitat to find their favorite food, the snowshoe hare. That’s getting harder as climate change causes temperatures to climb. What’s worse, their habitats are being carved up by the logging industry. That’s why they were placed on the Endangered Species Act in 2000, and it’s why it’s so important for us to protect remaining lynx habitat in places like Colorado and Montana that can give them a chance to thrive. How can I help? You can join us in keeping these cats from becoming a memory! Recently, we challenged a forest management plan that leaves lynx vulnerable in the Rio Grande National Forest in Colorado to threats like logging. We’ve also supported past reintroduction efforts in places like the southern Rocky Mountains, conducted on-the-ground population monitoring and we’re leading the charge to respond to the biodiversity crisis. [Get the facts on lynx!]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th Street NW • Washington, DC 20036 defenders.org --------------------------------------------------------------- Photo credit: Canada Lynx © Lisa Hupp/USFWS This email was sent to {EMAIL} Please do not respond to this email. [Unsubscribe here]( or update your preferences [here!]( [supporter]