A group of lynx in northwestern Ontario unintentionally created a social media buzz on New Year’s Day as they crossed a road, caught on video by Constable Zack Stubbington of the Armstrong OPP during his patrol. The video shows an adult lynx leading three kittens across the road, with Stubbington counting a total of five animals in the footage.
The video, later shared widely on social media, captured the attention of viewers. Lynx populations in Canada are known to fluctuate on a 10-year cycle based on food availability, as explained by Brian McLaren, an associate professor at Lakehead University. When food is abundant, lynx populations increase, leading to more frequent sightings of these elusive animals.
McLaren noted that lynx kittens typically stay with their mothers for about 10 months. It is uncommon to spot a second adult lynx accompanying a family, suggesting that the fifth lynx seen in the video could be a female from a previous litter. Male lynx are known to be solitary creatures.
Constable Stubbington, in an interview with CBC News, shared his excitement about the attention the video received, highlighting his passion for wildlife sightings and the outdoors as driving forces behind his career in northern Ontario. He encouraged outdoor enthusiasts interested in law enforcement to consider opportunities in northern regions.
The video capturing the lynx crossing the road in northwestern Ontario has become a viral sensation, showcasing the beauty of wildlife encounters in the region.