IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Vashon, J.; Vashon, A.; Crowley, S. | |
| Partnership for lynx conservation in Maine December 2001 - December 2002 field report Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife | |
| 2002 Full Book | |
In 1999, we began an intensive radio-telemetry study of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) to document their movements, survival, habitat use, reproduction, and interspecific competition with other predators. This information will be used to generate recommendations for conservation of lynx, including land-use practices to maintain lynx habitat, and policies for recreational use of landscapes occupied by lynx in the northeastern United States. We have captured and radio-collared 30 different lynx (17 females, 13 males) in the study area. An adult female lynx that was captured by a recreational trapper outside the study area was also radiocollared. To date, 1 unmarked kitten (female) and 12 radio-collared lynx (3 males, 9 females) have died. Three lynx died from starvation (1 caused by an under-active thyroid gland), 4 from predation, 1 was illegally harvested, and 4 died of unknown causes. We have documented production of 17 litters: 1 litter in 1999, 3 litters in 2000, 4 litters in 2001, and 9 litters in 2002. Habitat data are currently being collected during each aerial telemetry location, at lynx den sites, and while backtracking lynx in the winter. Four stands where lynx den sites occurred were characterized as regenerating stands (some hardwood and some softwood dominated) with high visual obscurity and high volume of downed-woody vegetation. The remaining habitat data will be analyzed at a later date. Eleven of 83 coyotes, 1 bobcat, 7 of 11 fishers, and 4 of 6 foxes captured have been equipped with radio collars. Three radio-collared coyotes, 1 bobcat, 3 fishers, and all 4 radio-collared foxes have died. Necropsies have not been performed, but based on field observations 1 coyote and 1 fox were struck by vehicles, 2 foxes and 1 fisher died from starvation, 1 fox died of unknown causes, 1 coyote died from natural causes, 1 coyote was harvested, and 2 fisher were killed by a predator. Three winters of snow track surveys have been completed to estimate snowshoe hare and red squirrel abundance. During summer 2001, we initiated a fecal pellet survey to estimate the density of snowshoe hare on the study area. These pellet plots were surveyed in both the spring and fall of 2002. |
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