Canada lynx with attitude is welcomed to city's zoo

The newest addition to the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park is Winnie, a 4-year-old Canada lynx with an attitude.

Winnie was given to the zoo by Zoo to You, an organization in Paso Robles, Calif., that deemed her more appropriate for exhibition rather than public demonstration because of her obvious dislike of human males.

Zoo Director John Scott Foster said animals, like humans, have individual personalities that take time to develop.

“You don't really know what their personality is going to be until they hit puberty,” he said.

And Winnie has hit it hard. She was bred in the care of humans, and sometime during her life developed a strong dislike for men.

“She's built up her attitude, but she's a good girl,” said Zookeeper Brenda A. Fisk. Ms. Fisk said she has established a bond with Winnie, who approaches her with little hesitation and even bends her head low enough to coax Ms. Fisk to give her a couple of scratches between her ears.

“I spent a lot of time with Winnie when she first got here,” she said.

Mr. Foster, however, said he is greeted by Winnie with hisses and growls.

He said visitors don't have to worry, because lynxes also view the fence around their enclosure as a safety barrier.

Winnie is expected to be out of quarantine sometime in the next two weeks, when she will be introduced to Chayne, the zoo's other female Canada lynx.

“They are likely to have the most issues with each other,” Ms. Fisk said. “They are both young and female.”

After Chayne and Winnie bond, Winnie will meet Scruffy, the zoo's 19-year-old male.

“He's equivalent to 140 in human years,” Mr. Foster said. “He's the typical old man.”

While zoo personnel would welcome lynx reproduction, Ms. Fisk said it's not expected.

“If Scruffy gets the inspiration ... .” Mr. Foster said. “We're keeping our fingers crossed.”

All three lynxes are expected to be out in their exhibit together by the beginning of summer.