The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced new measures to bolster the conservation efforts for the Canada lynx, a species listed as threatened in the lower 48 states. These measures include a proposed revision to the lynx’s critical habitat and the release of a final recovery plan.
The revised critical habitat spans approximately 19,112 square miles across six states: Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Washington, and Colorado. This update, mandated by a court order, refines the 2014 habitat designation by removing areas deemed unsuitable for the lynx while incorporating regions better suited for their long-term survival. Notably, the existing critical habitats in Maine and Minnesota remain unchanged.
The final recovery plan outlines specific strategies and objectives to ensure the species’ survival, developed in collaboration with state, Tribal, and federal partners. These strategies address the primary threats to the lynx, such as the effects of global warming on their boreal forest habitats and the availability of their main prey, the snowshoe hare.
The Canada lynx, adapted to cold, snowy environments, relies on its large paws to navigate and hunt in deep snow. Despite a robust population in Canada and Alaska, the lynx in the contiguous U.S. are fewer and face significant challenges due to habitat loss and human activities.
Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until January 28, 2025, following its publication in the Federal Register on November 29, 2024. For more details or to participate in the commenting process, visit www.regulations.gov.
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