Modeling the reintroduction of lynx to the southern portion of its range Original Research Article

We modeled populations of lynx (Lynx canadensis) and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) to determine prey densities required for persistence of lynx translocated to the southern portion of the speciesʹ range. The models suggested that a density of 1.1–1.8 hares/h is required for lynx persistence; these densities are higher than those reported for most hare populations across the USA. We found that lynx dispersal and density-independent mortality substantially increased the hare density required for lynx persistence. Reintroduction success was associated with number of release events, total number of animals released, and timing of release relative to the phase of the hare population cycle. However, no release protocol could override the negative effects of low prey density or high population losses. We conclude that successful lynx reintroduction requires high hare densities and minimal anthropogenic disturbance; few areas in the contiguous USA currently posses such qualities.