‘She’s been doing fantastic’: Lumi the six-month-old injured lynx readies for new home

An lynx discovered injured in Manitoba will soon have a forever home. Joseph Bernacki reports.

A six-month-old lynx rescued by Swan River, Man., locals after a dog attack is finding a forever home after weeks of rehabilitation.

Lumi- named after the word for snow in Finnish- is a six-month-old feline who was brought into the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in late August with a serious eye injury. She was brought in by Swan River residents who drove 10 hours to deliver her to the rescue centre after she and her mother were attacked by a pack of dogs.

“We’ve just announced the lynx is in fact going to be transferred into care at the Assiniboine Park Zoo,” said Zoe Nakata, executive director at Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre. “Some of that damage is irreparable unfortunately and will require some pretty intensive surgeries going forward.”

The centre brought in Manitoba’s only veterinary ophthalmologist for the specialized care; however, Lumi cannot be released into the wild because of her vision impairment. Still, she’s been recovering smoothly and needs a new home.

“She’s been doing fantastic,” Nakata said. “Our team has done a lot of really good work in making sure that she’s got all these enrichment items in her enclosure. She’s been showing us a lot of curiosity which is really nice to see.”

Assiniboine Park Zoo staff answered the call for a permanent home.

“They’re able to work with us as a partner to transition this lynx into our care, where it can live a very fulfilling life as an ambassador for its species and connect with our community,” said Chris Enright, senior director of zoological operations at Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

Enright said the zoo has a long history of looking after lynx as their former cat Bizhiw passed away earlier this year at age 22.

Enright said he refers to lynx as the ghosts of the forest.

“They have these gigantic feet to walk on the snow, but most people, even those who spend time in the boreal forests, never get to see a lynx,” Enright said.

Enright said it’s not clear when or if Lumi will be on display to the public as she will need more surgery, but she will be well looked after.