Lynx #21 was only handled as a 5 week old kitten near Brimson, MN in June, 2004.  His story demonstrates the value of ear-tagging when radiocollaring is not possible, and the value of DNA identification. 

In December 2005, a lynx with a partial ear tag but no collar was caught in a snare near Gilbert, MN.  The trapper did the right thing and contacted his local Conservation Officer.  The CO contacted us, and were able to identify the ear tag.  This was the last known surviving kitten of the 2004 litter of L13.  We had a picture of him with L13 in June 2005, and an unconfirmed sighting which was likely this male on the shore of Indian Lake in the summer of 2005.  That was our last contact with him until the phone call form the CO. 

L21 was an unusual animal in another way, as well. When he was snared, at only 18 months, he weighed about 25 pounds—as heavy as any adult female, and within the range of weights of male lynx that have been radiocollared as adults.