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On January 11, 2018, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced the completion of a scientific review of the Canada lynx in the contiguous United States. The review concludes that the Canada lynx may no longer warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and should be considered for delisting due to recovery. This recommendation is the result of an extensive review of the best available scientific information and almost 20 years of working in partnership with state, federal, tribal, industry and other land managers on the conservation of this species. As a result of this status review, the Service will begin development of a proposed rule to delist the species.

• News Release
• Questions And Answers
• Final Species Status Assessment
• Final 5-Year Review
• Signed 4(f)(1) Determination Regarding Recovery Planning for the Canada Lynx

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January 11, 2018: Final Species Status Assessment (SSA) Report Released
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced the availability of the final SSA report for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Canada lynx.  The SSA compiles the best available scientific information regarding the historical, current, and potential future conditions for lynx in the lower 48 states.  It evaluates the DPS's viability considering climate change, forest management and related regulations, wildland fire management, and other potential sources of habitat loss and fragmentation.  The report incorporates the formally-elicited opinions of recognized lynx experts from throughout the DPS range regarding the current and future status of, potential threats to, and likely viability of resident lynx populations in the DPS.

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Canada Lynx Expert Elicitation Workshop Final Report. The purpose of this report is to convey the results of an expert workshop convened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in October 2015 to improve our understanding of the status of the contiguous U.S. distinct population segment (DPS) of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). This workshop was held in conjunction with a species status assessment (SSA) for the DPS.

The workshop was organized by a Lynx SSA Team consisting of Service and USGS staff who have developed and piloted implementation of the SSA framework, and Service biologists who are working on lynx throughout the range of the DPS. In the interest of collaboration and transparency, this team partnered with State agencies, other Federal agencies, and academic researchers to elicit expert input regarding the current and likely future status of lynx populations within the DPS.

Canada lynx Expert Elicitation Workshop - Final Report

Appendices:

Appendix 1 SSA Fact Sheet (PDF)
Appendix 2 Workshop Participants Roles (PDF)
Appendix 3 FINAL Lynx SSA Expert Elicitation Workshop Notes (PDF)
Appendix 4 Lynx SSA Expert Workshop Candidates V2 (PDF)

Appendix 5 Presentations

• 2015 10 13 - 1 - Zelenak Lynx SSA Expert Workshop
  
• 2015 10 13 - 2 - McKelvey Lynx Historical
  
• 2015 10 13 - 3 - Jackson Lynx_Regulatory
  
• 2015 10 13 - 4 - Schwartz Lynx Genetic Considerations
  
• 2015 10 13 - 5 - Bowman Lynx Southern Canada
  
• 2015 10 14 - 1 - Frelich CC and Boreal Forest
  
• 2015 10 14 - 3 - Lawler_Wilsey Climate _ Lynx Western US
  
• 2015 10 14 - 4 - Simons-Legaard Forest Mgmt
  
• 2015 10 14 - 2 - Siren Climate _ Lynx
  
• 2015 10 14 - 5 - REVISED Hodges Southern Snowshoe Hares
• 2015 10 14 - 6 - Vashon Maine Update
• 2015 10 14 - 7 - Moen Minnesota
• 2015 10 14 - 8 - Squires Status and Threats to Lynx in WY and MT
• 2015 10 14 - 9 - Maletzke WA Lynx
• 2015 10 14 - 10 - REVISED Ivan Status of Lynx in Colorado

Appendix 6 Lynx EE figures (PDF)

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In response to a June 2014 Court Order to complete a recovery plan for lynx by January of 2018, or make a determination that a recovery plan is not necessary, the Service completed a Species Status Assessment (SSA) for the lynx DPS (see above). The SSA provides the scientific underpinnings for the Service's recently-completed 5-year review (see below), which determined that the DPS may no longer meet the ESA's definition of a threatened species and recommends, therefore, that the DPS be considered for delisting due to recovery. Based on the 5-year review, the Service determined, in accordance with section 4(f)(1) of the ESA, that a recovery plan is not necessary at this time.

Signed 4(f)(1) Determination Regarding Recovery Planning for the Canada Lynx

2005 Canada Lynx Recovery Outline

Canada lynx recovery outline, September 2005
Letter to Interested Parties transmitting outline, September 2005
Map of Canada lynx recovery areas, 2005

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January 11, 2018: 5-Year Review Indicates Canada Lynx Recovery in the Lower 48 States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced the completion of a scientific review of the Canada lynx in the contiguous United States. The review concludes that the Canada lynx may no longer warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and should be considered for delisting due to recovery. This recommendation is the result of an extensive review of the best available scientific information and almost 20 years of working in partnership with State, Federal, Tribal, industry and other land managers on the conservation of this species. As a result of this status review, the Service will begin development of a proposed rule to delist the species.

• News Release
• Questions And Answers
• Final Species Status Assessment
• Final 5-Year Review

  News Release Announcing 5-Year Review (January 13, 2015 )

  Notice announcing 5-year review (April 18, 2007, Federal Register).

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On September 12, 2014, the Service revised Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the contiguous United States distinct population segment (DPS) of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). The Service finalized both a revised critical habitat designation for the lynx DPS and a revised definition for what constitutes the range of the DPS – the portion of the species’ North American range in which lynx are protected by the Act.

• News Release
• Questions And Answers
• Fact Sheet
• Federal Register Notice: September 12, 2014 Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx and Revised Distinct Population Segment Boundary
• Final Environmental Assessment
• Signed FONSI (finding of no siginificant impact)
• Critical Habitat Shapefiles zipped file (6 MB)
• Vertices zipped file (1.5 MB)
• Critical Habitat Maps in the Final Rule
• Index map - All Units
• Unit 1 - Maine
• Unit 2 - Minnesota
• Unit 3 - Northern Rockies
• Unit 4 - North Cascades
• Unit 5 - Greater Yellowstone Area
• 5 color maps showing the changes in critical habitat between the proposed and final rules
• Unit 1 - Maine
• Unit 2 - Minnesota
• Unit 3 - Northern Rockies
• Unit 4 - North Cascades
• Unit 5 - Greater Yellowstone Area
• Literature cited

On September 25, 2013, the Service announced a proposal to revise the critical habitat designation for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Canada lynx. The Service previously listed the lynx as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (Act)in 2000 and designated critical habitat for the species in 2006, which was revised in 2009. This current revision was undertaken to address two court orders resulting from litigation over the 2009 critical habitat designation. The Service also proposes to revise the definition of the lynx DPS to ensure that all lynx in the contiguous United States are protected under the Act. The Service is accepting public comment on this action until December 26, 2013. More information can be found athttp://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2013-0101.

• Federal Register Notice: September 25, 2013 Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx and Revised Distinct Population Segment Boundary
• Press Release: September 25, 2013 Revised Critical Habitat Designation for Canada Lynx Proposed under the Endangered Species Act
• Literature Cited
• Critical Habitat Maps
• Questions and Answers
• Peer Review Plan
• Fact Sheet
• Critical Habitat Shapefiles

Critical habitat archives »

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February 24, 2009 - The Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final revised critical habitat designation for the Canada lynx in the contiguous United States. Approximately 39,000 square miles of critical habitat were designated in five units in the states of Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming.

News Release and Q&As

February 25, 2009 final CH rule published in the Federal Register, 74 FR 8616-8702.

On February 28, 2008, the Service proposed to designate approximately 42,753 square miles of habitat in portions of northern Maine, northeastern Minnesota, the Northern Rocky Mountains (northwestern Montana and northeastern Idaho), the Northern Cascades (north-central Washington), and the Greater Yellowstone Area (southwestern Montana and northwestern Wyoming).

We announced publication of a Notice of Availability of the Draft Economic Analysis and Draft Environmental Assessment.

• 2008 Draft Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation for Canada Lynx
• 2008 Draft Environmental Assessment
• News Release October 21, 2008 Draft Economic Analysis of Conservation Actions to Protect Canada Lynx Released
• Federal Register Notice October 21, 2008 Revised Critical Habitat for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
  
• Public Hearings Scheduled:
  • Kalispell, Montana on November 7, 2008 at the Red Lion Hotel, 20 N. Main Street
  • Cody, Wyoming on November 13, 2008 at the Cody Auditorium, 1240 Beck Avenue
  • The hearings will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a brief informal presentation and discussion followed by the formal public testimonies at 6:00 p.m. Written comments will also be accepted at the hearings.

We also provide, for public comment, two draft conservation agreements:

• Draft Maine Conservation Partnership Agreement
• Draft Montana Partnership Conservation Agreement

In addition, we are providing maps representing potential changes that may be incorporated into the final critical habitat designation for Canada lynx. The potential changes to the map boundaries are the result of new information provided to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the public comment period, February 28, 2008 to April 28, 2008, and during our consideration of comments submitted. Potential map changes reflect new information about lynx habitat condition and distribution. Changes also reflect areas that the U.S. Forest Service has identified as being important for lynx during their planning process.

• Northern Rockies
• Greater Yellowstone Area
• Minnesota 
  

The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to revise the amount of critical habitat designated for the Canada lynx. In total, the Service is proposing to designate approximately 42,753 square miles of habitat in portions of northern Maine, northeastern Minnesota, the Northern Rocky Mountains (northwestern Montana and northeastern Idaho), the Northern Cascades (north-central Washington), and the Greater Yellowstone Area (southwestern Montana and northwestern Wyoming). The public is invited to comment on all aspects of the proposed rule.  Comments will be accepted until April 28, 2008.

• Federal Register Notice February 28, 2008 Revised Critical Habitat for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx
• Press Release February 28, 2008 Revised Critical Habitat for the Canada Lynx
• Questions and Answers

Maps of Proposed Critical Habitat Areas

• Index map
• Unit 1
• Unit 2
• Unit 3
• Unit 4
• Unit 5

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On March 24, 2000, the contiguous United States population of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In 2003, in response to a court-order to reconsider the listing, we clarified our final listing decision.  

2000 Listing decision documents:

Final Rule:  Determination of Threatened Status for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx, March 24, 2000; Federal Register
Literature cited from Canada lynx final rule, 2000
Contiguous United States lynx range map, 2000
Commonly asked questions about the Canada lynx listing fact sheet, 2000

2003 Clarification of final listing decision documents:
Notice of Remanded Determination of Status for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx; Clarification of Findings; Final Rule, July 3, 2003; Federal Register
Range Map - Black & White version (334 KB)
Range Map - Color version (2.5 MB)
Literature cited in clarification of findings, July, 2003
Court order, December, 2002

2007 Clarification of Significant Portion of the Range for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada - Federal Register notice, 72 FR 1186-1189

Service to Conduct Status Review on the Need to Revise the 2000 Canada Lynx Listing to Include New Mexico

Following an initial review of a petition to revise the listing of Canada lynx to include the mountains of north-central New Mexico, the Fish and Wildlife Service will undertake a review to determine if animals in New Mexico – believed to be dispersers from the State of Colorado reintroduction efforts - should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. The Service is seeking information regarding the status and distribution of the Canada lynx, including impacts or potential impacts to the species resulting from either human activities or natural causes. Public comments will be accepted until February 17, 2008. For more information, please see the Federal Register Notice.

• Press Release December 19, 2008 Fish and Wildlife Service to Conduct Status Review of the Canada Lynx in New Mexico
• Federal Register Notice December 19, 2008 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Change the Listing Status of the Canada Lynx

The Service announced on December 17, 2009, that changing the boundaries of the Endangered Species Act listing for the Canada lynx to include the State of New Mexico is warranted; however, the action is precluded at this time by the need to complete other listing actions of a higher priority.

• Federal Register Notice: December 17, 2009 12-month Finding on a Petition To Change the Final Listing of the Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx To Include New Mexico
• Press Release: December 16, 2009 Protection for Canada Lynx in New Mexico Is Warranted

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Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy - 3rd Edition, August 2013

Conservation Agreement Between the Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service May 2005
Superior National Forest Plan - Lynx Management Appendix
Ruediger et al. 2000.  Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy (1,727 KB)
Conservation Agreement Between the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, February 2000
Biological Opinion on the Effects of National Forest Land and Resource Management Plans and Bureau of
Land Management Land Use Plans on Canada Lynx in the Contiguous United States, October 2000

Biological Assessment of the Effects of National Forest Land and Resource Management Plans and Bureau of Land Management Land Use Plans on Canada Lynx and Lynx Habitat in the Lower 48 States, December 1999

• Narrative
• Figure 1
• Figure 2
• Figure 3
• Figure 4
• Figure 5
• Figure 6
• Figure 7
• Figure 8

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How to avoid incidental take of  lynx while trapping or hunting bobcats or other furbearers brochure
Fish and Wildlife Service Lynx Profile
Ruggiero, L.F., Aubry, K.B., Buskirk, S.W., Koehler, G.M., Krebs, C.J., McKelvey, K.S., Squires, J.R.  2000.  Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States
Ruediger, B. et al. 2000.  Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy

Lynx - Bobcat Hybridization:
In 2003, scientists conducting DNA analysis of hair and tissue samples discovered the first evidence of hybridization between lynx and bobcat in the wild.

Article: Schwartz et al. 2004.  Hybridization between lynx and bobcats
Press release:  June 2, 2003  Scientists Confirm Hybridization of Canada Lynx with Bobcats in Minnesota
Questions and Answers regarding lynx and bobcat hybridization in Minnesota, June 2003

Press release:  August 27, 2003  DNA Tests Confirm Hybridization of Canada Lynx with Bobcats in Maine

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USFWS Canada Lynx Fact Sheet 2 March 2000
Chronology of Canada lynx events through March 2000

Press Releases:
June 27, 2003  Fish and Wildlife Service Finds that Canada Lynx Should Remain Listed as Threatened in Lower 48
March 17, 2003 Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Additional Information Regarding Lynx Habitat
March 21, 2000 Canada Lynx Listed as Threatened
August 10, 1999 Science Report on Lynx Conservation Made Available, Public Comment Period Re-opened
June 28, 1999 Discovery of Canada Lynx Kittens Proves that the Wild Cats Reproduce in Maine
June 17, 1999 Fish and Wildlife Service Extends Proposal to List Canada Lynx
June 30, 1998 Service Proposes to List Canada Lynx as Threatened

Federal Register Notices:
July 26, 1999 Canada Lynx Special Rule Record of Compliance
July 8, 1999 Notice of 6-Month Extension
July 8, 1998 Proposal to List the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx; Proposed Rule
May 27, 1997 12-Month Finding for a Petition to List the Contiguous United States Population of the Canada Lynx
December 27, 1994 12-Month Finding for a Petition to List the Contiguous United States Population of the Canada Lynx

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U.S. Forest Service Canada Lynx Information
Canada Lynx in the Great Lakes Region ongoing lynx research
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Canada lynx page
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lynx sightings map
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Canada lynx page
Colorado Division of Wildlife Lynx reintroduction
Washington Department of Natural Resources

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You can contact us about lynx or this webpage at:

Email: FW6_Lynx@fws.gov

Regular mail:
Lynx
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
585 Shepard Way, Suite 1

Helena, Montana  59601

Phone: (406) 449-5225