A man named Gary Shattuck was recently driving in Shrewsbury, Vermont, when he saw a wild cat walking down the road next to him. Something about the cat’s distinctive appearance caught his eye, so he began to record the animal.
While Shattuck thought the animal was probably a bobcat, part of him suspected the animal was actually someone much rarer. So he sent the video to Vermont Fish & Wildlife, who confirmed that the animal Shattuck recorded was none other than an elusive and endangered Canada lynx.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife was thrilled to receive Gary’s video. The last time anyone had seen a Canada lynx in Vermont was all the way back in 2018. Adding to the unusual nature of this sighting, the lynx was in a completely different area from where they’re usually found.
“This newest sighting is especially exciting because the cat was spotted in Rutland County, far south of most confirmed lynx reports in Vermont,” Vermont Fish & Wildlife wrote in a press release.
In the years since the last Canada lynx was spotted, Vermont Fish & Wildlife has received many reports from people who thought they’d seen a lynx but had actually just seen a bobcat. While they do look similar, there are some differences that can help people tell them apart.
“Giant back feet? Check! All black tail tip? Check! Telltale upward sloping hindquarters? Check! That’s no bobcat, it’s a Canada Lynx!” Vermont Fish & Wildlife wrote on Facebook.
For contrast, here’s an example of a typical bobcat:
Canada lynx are classified as endangered in Vermont and threatened federally. Some factors contributing to their classification include habitat loss and climate change.
Despite the challenges the species as a whole is facing, this particular lynx appears to be thriving. Vermont Fish & Wildlife assured the video’s viewers that the lynx is a healthy weight and that his calm demeanor was normal for a lynx on the move.
“During their demanding journey, a dispersing lynx like this is mostly focused on finding food and avoiding conflicts with local wildlife. If people don’t bother him, he won’t be too worried about people,” Vermont Fish & Wildlife wrote on Facebook.
Seeing such a rare animal out in their natural habitat doing so well is heartening and inspiring. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another six years before seeing another Canada lynx in Vermont.
“We wish this lynx luck, wherever they are going!” Vermont Fish & Wildlife wrote.
