A group of lynx in northwestern Ontario inadvertently created a social media buzz when they were captured on video crossing a road on New Year’s Day. Constable Zack Stubbington from the Armstrong OPP witnessed an adult lynx leading three kittens across the road. The video, where Stubbington counted a total of five lynx, was widely shared on social media platforms.
According to Brian McLaren, an associate professor at Lakehead University, lynx populations in Canada fluctuate in a 10-year cycle based on food availability. McLaren mentioned that lynx sightings increase when food is abundant. Lynx kittens typically stay with their mothers for about 10 months, and the presence of a second adult lynx with a family is uncommon, suggesting that the fifth lynx might be a female from a previous litter.
Stubbington, in an interview with CBC News, expressed his surprise at the attention the video received, noting that it was his first wildlife video to gain significant traction. He emphasized his passion for the outdoors and wildlife spotting as driving forces behind his career choice in northern Ontario, encouraging outdoor enthusiasts interested in law enforcement to consider opportunities in the region.