Lynx captured in downtown Fredericton released in woods

A Canadian lynx that was captured in downtown Fredericton last weekend was safely returned to the woods on Friday after spending a week being assessedat the Atlantic Wildlife Institute.

He wasset free in a wooded area about 100 km from the city, which is known by biologists to be frequented by lynx and has an abundant food supply, the Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.

The Canada lynx, a medium-sized cat with grey-brown fur, is considered a species "at risk."

The animal in question was spotted on the lawn of a downtown church on April 16 andcaptured by Department of Natural Resources officers with the help of Fredericton Police Force officers after a short chase.

It was determined that the lynx was an older cat, it was in good shape and had a healthy appetite.- Department of Natural Resources

He was examined by veterinarians to ensurehe didn't have any injuries or underlying problems that would have hindered hissafe return to the wild.

"It was determined that the lynx was an older cat, it was in good shape and had a healthy appetite," the DNR statement said.

Officials at the institute in Cookville, near Sackville,also wanted to give the animal time to recover from the ordeal.

The lynx is distinguished from the bobcat by the long pointed tufts on its ears, an entirely dark-tipped tail and fewer spots on its legs and belly. The species has particularly large paws, allowing it to move easily on deep snow to hunt its primary prey, the snowshoe hare.

The height of the breeding season is from mid-March to the beginning of April, with a gestation period of nine weeks. Litter sizes are usually two or three and can sometimes be up to five kittens. They stay with their mother for the first winter only after which they become solitary.