Return Planned For Lynx Snow Cat’S Possible Endangered Listing Poses Complication For UI Biologist

Lynx likely will be returned to North Idaho this winter, long before the federal government decides whether to protect the reclusive snow cat.

After more than a year of effort - and what some see as an unwise concession - a University of Idaho wildlife biologist has permission from the Idaho Fish and Game Department to place Yukon lynx in the eastern portion of the Clearwater National Forest.

The animals will be purchased from Canadian trappers who otherwise would kill them. Twenty animals are to be reintroduced this winter; 20, next winter.

The kicker: Biologist Dennis Murray may have to pull the animals out if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects the lynx under the Endangered Species Act. One condition of Murray’s permit, issued by Idaho Fish and Game, says: “The department may require the removal of these animals prior to listing unless provisions are made to protect private property owners from being impacted by actions associated with these experimental animals.”

The translation, conservation groups say, is that if timber companies and other private landowners have to change their ways to keep from harming the lynx, the lynx have to go. They also say Fish and Game director Steve Mealey is trying to block Endangered Species Act protection by threatening to kill the imported lynx if the animal is listed.

“I think his disdain for federal authority and the Endangered Species Act is influencing what appears otherwise to be a fairly sound scientific project,” said John McCarthy of the Idaho Conservation League. “I think it’s an abuse of power to require a scientist to make a political concession on a scientific project.”

To David Giallard of the Predator Project, the condition says, “If we learn certain changes in land management are needed, we aren’t going to make changes. Instead we are going to destroy the lynx.”

Idaho officials readily acknowledge reintroducing the lynx is partially an effort to block Endangered Species Act protection in the state. They also say the fears are overblown and could torpedo a rare opportunity to figure out what it takes to make the lynx thrive.

And Murray had little choice but to agree to the provisions.

“Originally my request was denied by Idaho Fish and Game,” Murray said. “This is essentially what we had to give up to get them on board. I think it will never go beyond this piece of paper.”

Meanwhile, this is an opportunity to restore the lynx to Idaho and gather important data on what it takes to revive a reclusive animal whose needs are still largely a mystery.

“We don’t think it’s wise to sit back and let politicians and legislators decide what pigeon hole lynx will fall into if they are listed,” Murray said. “What’s more important is restoring the ecosystem.”

Canadian lynx populations rise and fall in a decade-long cycle directly tied to the population of snowshoe hares. Murray can only get lynx while the Yukon numbers are high - the next two years - or wait another 10 years.

Considering these lynx would die at the hands of trappers, this wrangling is ridiculous, said Dan Davis, wildlife biologist on the Clearwater National Forest.

“This is the most proactive approach ever taken with a species prior to listing,” Davis said. “I don’t care if they are listed or not. All the paper that goes into a $400,000 recovery plan won’t put one lynx back in Idaho.

“For $100,000 I can put 20 lynx in north central Idaho.”

Idaho Fish and Game defends its conditions, in part, by also arguing endangered species protection won’t help. And opponents of the lynx project have other agendas - like stopping logging, says state biologist Wayne Melquist.

That might backfire considering the number one food for lynx, snowshoe hares, appear to thrive in forests that have been logged and replanted, Melquist said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which makes the ultimate decision on protecting the lynx, isn’t sure whether Idaho can require pulling the animals back out once federal protection is bestowed.

There is room for flexibility under a complex set of conditions, said Bob Ruesink, of U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

There also is no precedent for a state reintroducing a species before federal protection kicks in and then avoiding the reach of the Endangered Species Act.

“I think we have a lot more questions than answers,” Ruesink said.

This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT’S NEXT Public hearings will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Coeur d’Alene Inn. Written comments can be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 100 N. Park, Suite 320, Helena, MT 59604