Lynx, other local wildlife at risk of habituation around humans

Freelance cinematographer Richard Wright has spent more than 45 hours at McArthur Island, recording video of the lynx.

“What appeals is that it’s really hard to find lynx most of the time,” Wright said. “They’re very secretive unless you’re spending a lot of time in the bush, tracking them down and that kind of thing, so it’s a rare opportunity to be literally 10 minutes from home and seeing wildlife.”

Wright isn’t alone in his excitement over the lynx. Amateur and professional photographers from near and far have flocked to McArthur Island to get a shot of this wild animal.

“Most people are being respectful with the lynx and staying well back, using long lenses and that sort of thing,” Wright said. “But, on the other hand, there’s people sticking iPhones and iPads right in its face, putting not only themselves or their kids at risk, but the lynx, which is an important thing to consider.”

Provincial WildSafeBC Coordinator Vanessa Isnardy says there is a risk of habituating the cat to the presence of humans.

“We do worry that if the lynx becomes habituated and starts switching prey,” she said. “We don’t want people walking dogs to come more into conflict. It’s very unusual for this to happen, but we want to do everything we can to prevent that from happening. So, giving it lots of space and not habituating it to people as much as possible.”

There has been a notable increase in lynx coming into the city. Isnardy says this is likely due to a lack of food in the wild.

“They’re very closely related to their cycle with the snowshoe hares and those populations go up and down, so as the snowshoe populations plummet, the lynx populations also struggle to find food and a lot of them will get sick and die. So, they’re coming into the community looking for food, basically.”

The Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre at the BC Wildlife Park has cared for three lynx and a bobcat since the fall. A lynx was even brought in this past weekend.

“The ones that we have gotten in have been very thin,” said Animal Care Manager Tracy Reynolds. “If they seem to be doing okay I think it’s more likely they’d be left alone, as long as they’re not getting themselves into trouble.”

Reynolds notes the health centre cared for fewer birds of prey than normal over the winter, likely due to the mild weather.

As for the lynx at McArthur Island Park, it appears to be healthy and well fed. As long as it isn’t causing any trouble, it’s unlikely to be relocated.

WildSafeBC says Kamloops residents are likely to see other wildlife entering the city this spring.

There has yet to be any reported conflicts between coyotes and dogs this year, but Isnardy warns coyotes may become more protective of their dens.

Bears will likely start emerging soon. People are encouraged to keep their pets under control when out on hikes and properties should be kept free of attractants.

“As of April 1st, there’s a bylaw in Kamloops to make sure you don’t put your garbage out the night before collection,” Isnardy said. “Make sure you’re doing your walk around your yard, making sure that everything is secure. Start thinking about taking down your bird feeders for the summer and the spring.”

Isnardy says the deer population is on the rise in urban centres. She says deer will find shelter and food in communities near people, but may become protective during fawning season.

“Deer will see dogs as a potential threat,” Isnardy said. “They will protect themselves and their fawns which will be happening in late May to June during fawning season is a high risk time for people walking dogs near deer.”

WildSafeBC has a Wildlife Alert Reporting Program, which provides a map indicating where wildlife has been reported.

by Jill Sperling

Lynx, other local wildlife at risk of habituation around humans

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