A new member of the Magnetic Hill Zoo family.
A one-year-old male Eurasian lynx arrived in October after being transferred from Ontario. The lynx was recently seized from a home where he was being illegally kept as a pet.
“We’re happy to provide him with a safe and permanent home with the specialized care that he needs,” said Selena Cowman, director of the Magnetic Hill Zoo.
Because the lynx was born in human care and is a non-native species, Cowman said rehabilitation and release into the wild was not an option.
The cat has spent the past month in a mandatory quarantine with veterinary oversight and health monitoring.
Lynx has adapted well to new surroundings
“He’s doing great,” she said. “He’s falling in love with his keepers, and he has actually moved to his exhibit.”
Visitors will see the lynx beginning this weekend. He is in the zoo’s Americas section, beside the jaguars and the condors.
While this is a welcome addition, it’s not the first Eurasian lynx to live at the Magnetic Hill Zoo.
“We had a Eurasian lynx in the early 2000s,” Cowman explained. “When they passed away, they did not replace them, but we’re really excited to have this species with us again.”
The Eurasian lynx is the largest of the four lynx species, and it is native to forested regions across Europe and Asia, including Scandinavia, Russia and China. It is well adapted to cold climates, making it a good fit for Atlantic Canada.
“They’re a solitary animal,” Cowman explained. “In the wild, Eurasian lynx typically live between 10 and 15 years, but animals in professional human care often exceed 20 years of age.”
This welcome arrival comes just ahead of the zoo’s popular Wild Lights holiday event. Organizers plan to illuminate his exhibit as part of the seasonal attraction and are hopeful visitors will catch a glimpse of him after dark.
“We’re hoping that he likes to come out at night so that guests and visitors can come get a peek at him,” said Cowman.
The zoo recently wrapped up its annual Boo at the Zoo program and is now transitioning into its winter event season. During preparations for Wild Lights, the facility will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but will remain open Thursdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Public can help name the Zoo’s new family member
Staff have narrowed down a list of names to three finalists. Orion, Lux and Taiga. The public can vote for their favourite name through the Magnetic Hill Zoo’s Facebook page.
“All of the names speak to different traits or his habitat, so they’re all very fitting,” Cowman said.
She added that the extended stretch of mild autumn weather has helped attract both local visitors and tourists to the attraction.
“We’ve definitely been happy to see the sunshine longer than expected this year,” she said. “We’re riding that shoulder season as long as we can.”
