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Why did the lynx cross the road?
It may not have been their intention, but for a group of animals caught on video in northwestern Ontario on New Year's Day, the answer might be to launch their moment on social media.
Const. Zach Stabbington of Armstrong Range was on patrol when he spotted a group of bobcats, including an adult, crossing the road with three kittens in tow.
In the video, Stabbington can be heard counting a total of five animals.
“Oh my God, this is crazy!” – he notes. “This is so cool.”
The video was posted on social media and has since circulated widely.
Canada's lynx population tends to ebb and flow on a 10-year cycle depending on food supplies, says Brian McLaren, assistant professor of biology at Lakehead University.Faculty of Environmental Management.
When food is plentiful, the population will be higher and animals will be seen more often.
McLaren said bobcat kittens typically stay with their mothers for about 10 months. According to him, it is less common to meet a second adult in the family. suggesting that the fifth bobcat seen may have been a female from a previous litter.
“Cats are very lonely,” he said.
In an interview with CBC News on Wednesday, Stabbington said he often records wildlife sightings, but this is the first time a video he shot has received so much attention.
He said a love of nature and the opportunity to see wildlife were huge motivations for seeking a career in northern Ontario.
“So if anyone is considering a career in the OPP and is an outdoor enthusiast, I would say look north,” he said.
