Erie Zoo is home to two new Canadian lynx kittens as Hunter and Roxy have litter
The Erie Zoo is welcoming new members with the addition of two Canadian lynx kittens born May 17 roughly around 5:15 a.m.
As this was the first litter from the zoo’s current Canadian lynx cats, the zoo said in a news release it's a significant milestone in their efforts towards conservation and education.
“We are overjoyed to welcome the new lynx kittens to the Erie Zoo family," Erie Zoo president and CEO Roo Kojancie said in the release. "Their birth is a testament to our commitment to conservation and provides a unique opportunity for our community to learn more about these fascinating animals."
Currently the zoo did not have any names for these new kittens as the genders have yet to be revealed.
Family history at the zoo
The kittens were born to parents Hunter and Roxy. Hunter, a 6-year-old male, was born at the Erie Zoo as his parents, Russell and Martina, were the first pair of Canada lynx at the zoo.
Roxy, a 3-year-old female, was introduced to the zoo in March 2023, and was brought to Erie from Hershey.
The introduction of Hunter and Roxy was planned by the zoo starting in September 2023. By the end of 2023, both lynxes were living together in time for breeding season.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums established a specialized Canada lynx management group which advised the Erie Zoo in the lynx’s breeding, behavior training and enrichment needs.
"Roxy is being a very attentive mom," Kojancie said. "She's doing great being a first-time mom, and once Roxy is ready for us to do an exam on the kittens, that's when we will do the exam on the kittens. We're letting Roxy let us know when she is ready for that."
How are the kittens and parents doing?
The zoo reports both mother and kittens are doing well and are being monitored by closed-circuit cameras and a team of expert veterinary and animal care staff.
Currently Roxy is in a special enclosed area for monitoring. She is closed off from visitors and staff but is still receiving daily care including food and water.
Hunter will remain in the exhibit at the zoo to be seen by the public while Roxy tends to the needs of her kittens, who have not been named yet. Names will be decided on after the exam happens and gender is determined.
When the kittens reach the age of two, there is a possibility they will be transported elsewhere.
"They are a managed species," said Jenn Salandra, curator for the Erie Zoo. "Chances are wherever they are needed for their genetics is where they will end up going."
For anyone interested in following the lynx kitten's journey, the Erie Zoo will be providing regular updates on social media channels and at eriezoo.org in the upcoming weeks.
About the Canadian Lynx
The Canadian lynx, according to biologicaldiversity.org, are medium-sized felines weighing between 19 and 22 pounds while also ranging from 32 to 34 inches in length.
Their life span ranges between 10 to 20 years. The population has been in decline since the early 1900s.
Most Canadian lynx can be found in four regions: Northeast, Great Lakes, northern Rocky Mountains and southern Rocky Mountains.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Zoo: Two Canadian lynx kittens born at zoo