On June 4, the Espace Pour La Vie (Space for Life) Biodôme in Montréal welcomed
three Lynx kittens into the world. The kittens are developing normally
with their mother’s attentive care. She diligently nurtures her little ones,
nursing them, cleaning them and keeping them warm. Their first medical exam
found that they are one male and two females, all growing healthy and fast. Ten
weeks after the birth, the kittens and their mother transitioned to a new home:
a Laurentian maple forest exhibit viewable by the public. Their arrival in the
habitat signals a new phase in their development, during which they will hone
their reflexes with their mother’s help. Visitors can see the Lynx kittens
playing together, interacting with their mother and exploring their environment
freely. The father will be kept separately in the nighttime quarters, as the
female could perceive him as a threat to her offspring.

Both adult Lynx are seven years old, and this
is the third time the pair have reproduced at the Biodôme—a clear sign that they are healthy
and happy in their habitat. In the summer of 2012, the female gave to litter of
three, but only one kitten survived to adulthood. Caretakers at the Biodôme
decided to supplement that kitten’s diet with bottle-feeding while allowing it
to continue nursing from its mother. In January of 2013, the healthy adult
offspring moved to another institution to be paired with another lynx for
breeding. This year’s litter is growing even more quickly under the care of the
more-experienced mother; this time, caretakers did not need to intervene with
extra feedings. As the captive Lynx population’s growth rate is very low, the birth of new kittens increases its genetic diversity. This year's litter may eventually be moved to other institutions to form new breeding pairs. 

Photo credits: Space for Life / Claude Lafond

See and read more after the fold!

As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Biodôme actively participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which seeks to establish optimal management of endangered species populations in captivity. The Lynx also take part in the AZA’s enrichment and training programs. The enrichment program aims to ensure better physical and psychological health for animals by stimulating their natural behaviors. The training program teaches animals to adopt certain behaviors to make veterinary actions or handling easier during medical exams and therefore keep the animal's stress to a minimum.