Lynx killed in Colorado 10 years after release

Lynx were reintroduced into Colorado in 1999. Credit: Tom Beck, DOW

February 2010. One of the lynx that were reintroduced into Colorado in 1999 has been killed by poachers.

Radio collar
Lynx were reintroduced into Colorado in 1999 and this female was one of the first released into the San Juan Mountains. Information from the radio collar that the lynx had been fitted with provided years of information on this 13-year-old female who often moved between the Vail Pass area and Rocky Mountain National Park.

A mortality signal from the radio collar that the lynx was wearing was received on January 18th. Department of Wildlife personnel later recovered the collar; however the carcass of the lynx was missing. DOW officers determined from evidence found in the area that the lynx was almost certainly killed and the collar removed.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Division of Wildlife office in Hot Sulphur Springs at 970-725-6200, or Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648. Callers can remain anonymous and a reward is available to anyone providing information leading to a conviction of this crime.