Outdoor Radio: The Elusive Lynx

Canada Lynx tracks found in Maine. The prints are the size of a human hand, an adaptation to help them stay on the surface of deep snow. Photo by Chris Bernier, VTFWD.

Kent McFarland and Sara Zahendra traveled by snowmobile into the wilderness of the Northeast Kingdom in hopes of spotting a Canada lynx or lynx tracks. They were joined at the Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area by Vermont Fish And Wildlife biologist Chris Bernier, technician Tony Smith, and Kim Royer, a Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Fish And Wildlife.

There were no signs of lynx, but we learn about the animal’s habitat, threats to this endangered species and what’s being done to preserve it. They also explain the ‘camera traps’ the department uses to track wildlife activity and get to see some surprising images captured on them. Join us on our snow-filled adventure into the north woods.

Listen to the show

MORE  INFORMATION ABOUT Canada Lynx

• Read “Uncovering the Mystery of New England’s Lynx” from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Watch a Canada Lynx Caught on Video at Vermont Refuge
• Check out this Canada Lynx profile, videos and photos from Arkive
• Read about Canada Lynx and Climate Change

IMAGES FROM THE SHOW

With snow coming down hard, Chris Bernier blows the fluffy snow from the tracks to help identify them. © K.P. McFarland

Tony Smith grabs the data card from the camera trap. © K.P. McFarland

Chris Bernier and Kim Royer check the images from the camera trap on a laptop. © K.P. McFarland

Tony Smith has Sara Zahendra add new scent bait made from skunk to the post. © K.P. McFarland

An image of the Fisher that we found on the game camera. Photo VTFWD

A Bobcat image captured on one of the game cameras a few years ago. Photo VTFWD

An Eastern Coyote image captured on a camera trap. Photo VTFWD

A Moose smells the skunk scent lure placed on a stick in front of the game camera. Photo VTFWD.

A view of the north woods into the mountains between snow squalls that covered us periodically all day. © K.P. McFarland

Outdoor Radio is a monthly feature produced in collaboration with Vermont Public Radio with support from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation. The program is produced by Vermont Public Radio chief audio engineer Chris Albertine.