Canada Lynx

Suffering from heavy trapping and habitat degradation, the Canada lynx (Lynx Canadensis) has become exceedingly rare in the lower 48 states. It is unknown how many remain, but Montana and Washington appear to be the only states with significant population.  For the last two decades, Defenders has been actively involved in assuring that this reclusive forest carnivore is federally protected and action is taken to recover lynx populations.

Read Background and Recovery

Help protect critical lynx habitat

On Feb. 28, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a new proposal to expand areas designated as critical habitat for lynx.  Designation of "critical habitat" is the best tool we have to restore lynx and the places where they live. 

Learn more about the proposal and how you can help.

In the Field

Despite the fact that lynx are little threat to people and livestock, several lynx have been illegally killed in the last few years. To try to halt this, Defenders has offered rewards in hopes of catching the lynx killer.

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Management and Policy

Hunting, trapping and habitat loss have all contributed to decreasing populations of lynx. Defenders has been working for two decades to draw attention to the plight of the lynx, provide it with federal protection under the Endangered Species Act, and protect critical lynx habitat.

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