Wheaton zoo welcomes two sisters from Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ann Piccininni
Marketing and Communications Assistant, Wheaton Park District
630-510-4987 | [email protected]

WHEATON – Cosley Zoo recently welcomed two Canada lynx to the Wheaton zoological park.

Sage and Poppy, four-year-old sisters, traveled to Cosley Zoo from Montgomery Zoo in Alabama, where they were born on April 25, 2018.

The two cats are gradually acclimating to their new environment and forging relationships with their caretakers.

They are similar in appearance and slightly larger than the bobcats that formerly lived at Cosley Zoo. While both lynx and bobcats fall under the general category of “lynx,” Canada lynx have longer legs and larger ear tufts and less well-defined spotted coats than bobcats.

Canada lynx are a species that are primarily found in Canadian and Alaskan forests, while smaller numbers inhabit the upper Midwest, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, as well as Maine.

The populations of Canada lynx are considered stable in the northern sections of their range but are considered threatened, as defined by the Endangered Species Act, in the lower 48 U.S. states.

“We are so very excited to welcome Canada lynx to Cosley Zoo,” said Cosley Zoo Director Sue Wahlgren. “Sage and Poppy will provide the opportunity for us to share their unique conservation story. The acquisition of the lynx is the zoo’s first step to offering other unique North American species.”

Zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), such as Cosley Zoo, manage lynx populations with a Species Survival Plan that helps maintain a long-term, genetically diverse population of the species.

Cosley Zoo, in its pursuit of conservation goals, is doing its part to help ensure the survival of the Canada lynx as a species.

Cosley Zoo visitors are welcome to meet the zoo’s newest resident animals and learn about conservation efforts being made at Wheaton Park District’s very own zoo.