The results give strong indication that lynx are adapting well to Colorado’s mountains and are again thriving in their historical range. Field researchers found 16 litters spread throughout the central and southern mountains. A total of 16 mother lynx produced 21 females and 25 males. Three mothers had four kittens; eight mothers had three kittens; five mothers had two kittens.

Researchers are continuing to track one lynx that appears to have established a den far into a wilderness area.

In 2004, researchers documented that 14 mother lynx gave birth to 39 kittens.

It is another excellent lynx reproduction season, said Tanya Shenk, the DOW’s lynx field researcher. 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. We are starting to see a stable social structure evolve and family relationships become established.

All the mother lynx had been fitted previously with radio-telemetry collars which allow the cats’ movements and locations to be monitored. Kittens are born, usually, between mid-May and mid-June. The first litter of three kittens was found on May 21. Since 2003, eight of the mothers have produced two litters, one has produced three litters.

Since the lynx reintroduction program started in 1999, the DOW has released a total of 204 lynx and has recorded 101 kittens born in Colorado. Shenk estimates that as many as 141 of the reintroduced lynx and 28 of the 55 kittens born in 2003 and 2004 could now be living in Colorado. Researchers are currently monitoring 118 lynx with active radio collars. The DOW traps lynx during the winter to replace inactive and failing radio collars. Researchers also collar kittens born the previous spring.

In April 2005 the DOW released 38 lynx. Officials will decide in the fall how many will be released next year. The animals introduced are provided to the DOW by provincial wildlife agencies in Canada.

Of the 204 lynx released, it’s believed that 63 have died: 26 from the 1999 release; 24 from the 2000 release; five from the 2003 release; seven from the 2004 release; and 1 from the 2005 release.

Survival rates increased dramatically after the DOW changed release procedures. Lynx are allowed to acclimate in pens in Colorado for at least a month, they are well fed and their health is closely monitored. Release occurs after April 1 when the lynx are in peak condition and when food sources mainly small, young mammals are abundant and easily captured.