Colorado’s efforts to restore populations of Canada lynx were stymied again this fall when a male lynx was illegally killed near Silverton.

The lynx, a 4-year old male, was the victim of someone using a bow and arrow, said Drayton Harrison, a Durango-based district wildlife manager for the Division of Wildlife.

“It’s pretty obvious it was killed by an arrow and it’s time of death coincides with archery season,” Harrison said.

The lynx’s carcass was discovered Oct. 7 after researchers responded to a signal from a radio collar the lynx was wearing.

It’s suspected the lynx was killed within two weeks prior to being found.

Harrison said there’s little reason for the lynx to have been killed.

“If you’re using a bow and arrow, you have to get pretty close to shoot something,” he said. “It’s not likely you’d make a mistake” in identifying the lynx.

A reward is offered for information on the killing through Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648.

The lynx is listed on the state endangered species and on the federal threatened species list.

Since the state lynx reintroduction program began in 1999, 218 lynx have been released in Colorado. It’s estimated that 103 of the introduced lynx still are alive.

This past spring, researchers found 10 lynx kittens, the first Colorado-born lynx recorded since 2006.

The death of this male brings the number of lynx actively being tracked by DOW researchers to 41.

The lynx reintroduction program is funded by the DOW, private donations and Great Outdoors Colorado, which receives its funding through the Colorado State Lottery. 

Email DAVE BUCHANAN