More Land for Lynx

We think the lynx is a pretty cool cat, but unfortunately so do fur trappers. This factor combined with a shrinking habitat from logging and development add up to the dwindling population of the endangered species. Thanks to the folks at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, however, the Canada lynx will now have a protected stomping ground of about 25 million acres.

Areas spreading across Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington will now be designated as lynx habitat. This decision stems from a reconsideration of the issue which was previously muddied by—surprise—crooked politicians of the Bush administration.

Now the lynx in these areas will have access to all the woody debris, snowshoe hares and fluffy snow their hearts desire. Some people are upset that no land in the Southern Rockies, another main habitat for the lynx, was protected. BACKPACKER contributor Kelly Bastone ventured into the Colorado wilderness to track these lynx for the Division of Wildlife. To see your own lynx like she did, head over to the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness and follow tracks from the endangered predator.

—Morgan Keys

Lynx critical habitat increases (AP)

Image credit: Tambako the Jaguar