The legacy of Canada lynx “GLNR-S-571” on Minnesota’s Superior National Forest

Duluth, MN – Early last spring a Canada lynx carcass was discovered on the edge of a Superior National Forest (NF) road by Superior NF volunteer, Gary Olson.

Little remained of the carcass except some hair and most of the skeleton (the skull was missing). Through detective work, Superior NF wildlife staff were able to figure out the cat’s identity. A sample of the hair from a front paw was sent to the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation. The DNA results told us ‘she’ was GLNR-S-571, aka “The Trappers Lake Female.” 

From 2014 to 2024, Superior NF wildlife staff and volunteers collected 27 scats (lynx feces) from this individual spanning an area of about 71 square miles. GLNR-S-571 was a female kitten born in the Isabella, Minn., area in 2013, making this lynx 11 years old at the time of her death.

Her breeding territory over the years spanned from Isabella to 12 miles northwest and 13 miles northeast.

She was old enough that her death could have been from natural causes, but due to the advanced state of decay, a vehicle collision, predation, or other possible causes of mortality could not be ruled out. She had many litters of kittens through the years.

Through DNA analysis, there is a high level of confidence that GLNR-S-571 had offspring with her each year from 2019 to 2024 (at least 10 individuals), and it is highly likely that she had other litters prior to 2019 that were not detected. The team is hopeful that she will be survived by them and will be looking to detect those kittens in the coming monitoring seasons. 

Another impressive lynx on the Superior NF is GLNR-S-551. She is now the oldest lynx in our database at 11 years old (first detection in 2013) and she also appeared to have a family of kittens last winter. She resides in the Isabella area as well. 

“Canada lynx GLNR-S-571 is one of only 3 out of 538 lynx in our DNA database to be older than 8 years of age. 551 is one of those 3,” said Dan Ryan, Superior NF Wildlife Biologist. “Both 571 and 551 were found last winter and were known to be 11 years of age and both had kittens last winter. Generally, if they make it past being a kitten and figure out how to provide for themselves, their survival rate is pretty good.”

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

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Minnesota’s youth, antlerless season deer kills both increase, while crossbow take inches upward

What’s Next?

The future of lynx in Minnesota is uncertain; however, the Superior National Forest continues to engage with partners in seeking ways to benefit the species. Canada lynx are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. 

Read more about Canada lynx monitoring on the Superior NF Canada Lynx DNA Report, as well as the overall Wildlife Program here.

Report all sightings of Canada lynx directly to one of our offices or via our partner MN Department of Natural Resources reporting system.