Wápupxn (Lynx) Transboundary Monitoring Trial

Project Overview:

Working with the Derickson Family Trap line from Westbank First Nation and others we caught and radio collared three wápupxn, lynx, in an effort to understand how they use the Kettle River landscape and to determine genetic relationship to lynx within under-occupied habitat in Syilx territory in Washington State. The outlook is to continue to live capture lynx to re-establish a productive population on Colville lands in Washington State.

Project Goals:

Our target was to capture and collar three lynx as an operational trial toward a better understanding of lynx movements through the Kettle River landscape and genetic relationships to lynx in Washington State.

Project Media:

Project Progress/Status:

Three lynx, all males, were successfully captured, GPS collared, ear-tagged and released; all on the Derickson Family Trap line in the West Kettle River drainage, Syilx Territory. Trapping, handling and release went smoothly in each case. The ONA wildlife team will now move into monitoring each cat at least monthly by VHF radio with the intention of recovering data stored onboard the drop-off GPS collars later this year or as soon as practical in 2017.Each cat is permanently ear-tagged with small matching blue swing tags marked with a unique number and the letters “WDFW”.

Project Team:

Al Peatt, ONA Wildlife Biologist

Project Partnerships:

Derickson Family

Westbank First Nation