Lynx Survey and Monitoring in Grand Teton National Park

Authors(s): S. Pyare

Publication:

Publisher:

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: annual report

Location:

Abstract: Objectives 1.To evaluate the presence of lynx in optimal habitat. 2.To evaluate the potential productivity of any lynx that are detected. 3.To understand habitat preferences of lynx. 4.To make management recommendations for lynx conservation. Findings and Status In 2001, we collected 23 hair samples from 72 scented, hair-collection stations in the Berry Creek, Moose Basin, Grassy Lake Road, and Arizona Creek areas of Grand Teton National Park. Six species of carnivores were detected, including 2 felid samples; none were identified as lynx. As in 2000, ursids, particularly grizzly bears, were detected most frequently. The hair-rub survey was effective in detecting a suite of carnivores, including felids. The large majority of our samples, however, were derived from ursids, particularly grizzly bears, and the summer effort has thus far not revealed the presence of lynx. The basic lure we used to detect lynx has been tested and used successfully elsewhere (McDaniel et al. 2000). Although grizzly bears may simply be quite numerous in the region, they may also be highly attracted to our particular lure, possibly confounding our survey efforts. In the near future, we anticipate comparing our results to results from other surveys that utilize different lures in grizzly bear country, such as in Yellowstone National Park. We will subsequently explore the possibility of simultaneously using our preferred lure with other lures that are less attractive to grizzly bears as an option for future hair-rub surveys. Overall, information about the current status of lynx in Wyoming remains scant, despite comprehensive and coordinated efforts by multiple agencies. However, the lack of success in detecting lynx does not imply that survey methods are inadequate, nor is it appropriate to conclude that lynx have disappeared from these areas. Rather, this lack of information may be due to two factors that, taken together, suggest that a short-term focus may be inappropriate for lynx, and that only a multiple-year survey effort will be adequate. First, radiotelemetry data from lynx in the Wyoming Range in southern Wyoming (Wyoming Department of Game and Fish 2000), suggest that lynx may range quite widely in the Greater Yellowstone Area. This may perhaps result from the fact that the quality of lynx habitat may be less than optimal in the region. If wide-ranging behavior is a general characteristic of lynx in Wyoming, this reduces the probability of detection in our specific study area and at any particular time of the year. Second, lynx in the Yellowstone area may be dependent on episodic "flushes" of animals from northern regions, where populations typically exhibit cyclical fluctuations. Hence, lynx in Jackson Hole may soon be emerging from a "low" in population numbers. Conclusion: Low detectability and episodic population phenomena may be characteristic of lynx in the Jackson Hole region. Therefore, lynx surveys should continue for at least another complete year to more accurately evaluate the status of lynx in Jackson Hole. Major changes to the summer (hair-rub) survey protocol are not recommended, however the use of other lures should be explored to minimize attractability to ursids. Winter snow-tracking should be explored as a complementary survey tool.

Keywords: animal, mammal, feline, Felidae, Lynx canadensis, Lynx lynx, lynx, population, habitat, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, carnivore, Ursidae, Ursos arctos horribilis, bear, grizzly bear, radio collar, Wyoming Range, Jackson Hole, Teton County