Canada Lynx Sighted in Vermont After 5 Years

SHREWSBURY, Vt. (AP) — A Canada lynx has been confirmed in Vermont for the first time since 2018, marking a notable sighting farther south than previous reports. The sighting occurred when a local man spotted the large cat along a rural road while driving home on Saturday evening. After retrieving his cell phone, he captured video footage of the lynx, which has excited wildlife officials due to its rarity in the region. Brehan Furfey, a wildlife biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, emphasized the significance of this sighting, particularly as it took place in Rutland County, an area not typically associated with confirmed lynx reports. The Canada lynx is classified as endangered in Vermont and threatened at the national level, making any verifiable sightings crucial for conservation efforts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that resident breeding populations of Canada lynx are primarily found in northern regions, including Maine and New Hampshire. These animals are often confused with bobcats but can be distinguished by their long black ear tufts and short tails. Their adaptations, such as large paws and long hind legs, enable them to hunt snowshoe hares effectively in snowy environments. Furfey speculated that the lynx sighted in Shrewsbury could be a male searching for territory. Since 2016, the department has received over 160 reports of lynx, with only seven confirmed, the last being in Jericho in 2018. This recent sighting underscores the ongoing efforts to monitor and protect this endangered species in Vermont.