HOWELL, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources captured a live lynx near where a sighting was recently confirmed.
- Watch the video above for the full report.
The Howell Nature Center welcomes 4,000 orphaned or injured wildlife per year, but their most recent guest is a beautiful Canada lynx.
READ: Michigan DNR captures first live lynx near recent confirmed sighting
The Howell Nature Center said Monday they are housing the lynx, which was trapped in Harbor Beach on Sunday.
"This is not far from where a lynx was recently confirmed on video in February. The Canada Lynx is classified as a threatened species in Michigan with only rare sightings occurring in the last 40 years, primarily in the Upper Peninsula.
According to a DNR representative, this is the first live lynx captured in the state.
At this time, we are allowing him (or her) to settle after a stressful few days. Though caught in a leg-hold trap, no limp has been observed as yet.
A full physical examination under anesthesia will be performed soon. It is not yet clear if the lynx is a released/escaped illegal pet or is in fact, truly wild. After physical and behavioral assessments are performed, a determination will be made if it can be released back to the wild.
According to the DNR, this would likely take place in the Upper Peninsula as Michigan’s Thumb area is poor habitat for an animal who prefers a large territory of dense conifer or boreal forests."
On Tuesday, the nature center said the lynx was doing well and would soon be transferred to the Detroit Zoo.
"At this time, it has been determined that additional resources are needed to include a full physical and behavioral assessment. As such, this animal will be transferred to the Detroit Zoological Society later this week. It is not yet clear if the lynx is a released/escaped illegal pet or is in fact, truly wild. After the evaluation, a determination by the DNR will be made if it can be released back to the wild."
Back in 2017: DNR confirms first ever cougar sighting in Michigan's Lower Peninsula