Lynx - Threats

Winters with less snow and more rain could cause lynx range to shrink in Maine
Northern hardwood tree species may become more common with a warmer climate
Lynx increased in Maine following extensive cutting of spruce and fir forest. Forest management that does not foster dense understories of sapling spruce and fir are detrimental.
Roads do not appear to threaten lynx. Each year, two lynx are struck and killed by vehicles on roads in Maine. However, new roads with high vehicle volumes and speeds could increase lynx deaths.
Most of northern Maine is undeveloped. However, change in forest ownership patterns in northern Maine could lead to future human development
Although lynx can not be harvested in traps, trapping is allowed for other furbearers. Since 2000, about 4 lynx/year are caught in traps; most lynx are released alive.
Disease and predation, leading sources of lynx mortalities, do not appear to limit lynx numbers in Maine.