Lurking lynx
Darren Wallen shared this photo of a Canada lynx taken by his friend at Fourth Avenue East and 24th Street March 16. He estimated the lynx weighed about 80 pounds and appeared to be interested in nearby deer. Wallen said he stood between deer and the lynx for about 12 minutes in an attempt to keep the lynx from attacking the deer. Other International Falls residents have also reported seeing a lynx within the city limits. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website says the Canada lynx is a rare wildcat in Minnesota, and is most likely to occur just after the population of their main prey, snowshoe hare, crashes in Canada. The lynx has large “snowshoe” like feet that enable it to walk on top of deep, soft, snow. Adults weigh from 20 to 44 pounds. Snowshoe hares are the main prey, but birds and small mammals are also eaten. Lynx do not occur where snowshoe hares are absent. Lynx have also been observed scavenging roadkill.
