Three energetic Canadian lynx cubs have made their public debut at the Queens Zoo, charming visitors with their playful behavior.
Born in May during the zoo’s temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the cubs—one male and two females—are now old enough to explore their enclosure with their mother. Mike Allen, the zoo’s director, shared that watching the cubs at this stage is a delight.
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Their large paws and playful movements, such as stalking and pouncing, mirror the skills they’ll need for hunting when they are older.
The cubs’ birth is part of the Canada Lynx Species Survival Plan (SSP), a breeding program managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This program works to maintain genetic diversity among zoo animals.
Canadian lynx are medium-sized cats known for their thick gray-brown fur, short tails, and distinctive ear and cheek tufts.
Their large paws act like snowshoes, helping them move through deep snow in their native habitats, which include Alaska, Canada, and parts of the northern and western United States.
While Canadian lynx populations are stable in some areas, the species is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
However, in the U.S., lynx are protected under the Endangered Species Act due to population declines caused by fur trapping and habitat loss.
The Queens Zoo and New York City’s other Wildlife Conservation Society parks (Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium) have reopened, adhering to COVID-19 safety measures.
Visitors three and older must wear masks, and tickets must be purchased online. For more information on safety protocols, visit the zoo’s Know Before You Go page.
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