Consolo Murphy and Meagher concluded that evidence is too scant to reliably state that a resident population of lynx exists in the park today, if it did historically. A series of legal actions regarding the lynx have been pending since 1991. Publication of a proposed rule in the Federal Register is planned for the summer of 1998, followed by a public comment period to actively solicit new information about the status of lynx, related threats, and ongoing conservation activities. Adult lynx are about the size of a large domestic cat. Males can weigh upwards of 30 pounds, while females are smaller.
Lynx have large legs and broad, well-furred paws, blunt tails, and prominent tufted ears.
Lynx are generally grayish-brown with white, buff, or brown on the facial ruff and throat. Limited studies suggest that lynx breed in April or May, and give birth to three to five kittens in late May or June. Lynx are usually found in boreal forests and they tolerate deep snow quite well. They are commonly associated with snowshoe hares, but may also prey on squirrels, grouse and mice. Lynx survive similarly severe winter weather conditions in Canada.