‘It was the best day of my life.’ Sam Ellis spent 76 days with Mad Max in the Yukon wilderness.
After 2 months of filming, the Wild Canadian Year Team captured the first footage of a wild lynx hunting a snowshoe hare. This was a hard scene to film, but the Canadian cameraman Sam Ellis was up for the challenge! He went to the Yukon to see if he could film these elusive creatures. The plan was to track lynx paw tracks to find them. Join us on this discovery and also to explore the physical features of the lynx…
A Friendship
Sam Ellis, a Wildlife cameraman, decided to go on a challenging mission to film the elusive Canadian lynx in Yukon. His journey began with the goal of capturing rare footage of these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Little did he know that this adventure would lead to an extraordinary bond with a wild lynx he later named Mad Max!
Filming in the Yukon
Yukon is known for its harsh conditions. Sam Ellis faced numerous challenges, from extreme weather to the difficulty of tracking the lynx. With every paw print he followed, Ellis inched closer to his goal of filming the lynx in action!
The First Footage
After two months of relentless tracking and patience, Ellis and the Wild Canadian Year team achieved a milestone. They captured the first-ever footage of a wild lynx hunting a snowshoe hare.
Building Trust with Mad Max
Throughout his time in the Yukon, Ellis spent countless hours observing and interacting with Mad Max. Over time, a mutual sense of trust and curiosity developed between the cameraman and the lynx. This unique relationship let Ellis capture intimate and never-before-seen moments of Mad Max’s life!
The Impact
The footage captured by Ellis shows us the beauty of the Canadian lynx yet also highlights the importance of preserving their natural habitat. The Wild Canadian Year documentary aims to raise awareness about the conservation efforts needed to protect these majestic creatures and their ecosystems.
Physical Features of the Snow Lynx
Q: What is the average size of a snow lynx?
A: Snow lynxes weigh between 18 to 24 pounds, with a body length of about 32 to 40 inches.
Q: How does the snow lynx’s coat appear?
A: The snow lynx has a thick, dense coat that varies from silver-grey to brownish.
Q: What distinctive feature do lynx ears have?
A: Snow lynx ears are tipped with long, black tufts of fur, which enhance their hearing and help them detect prey even in thick cover.
Q: Describe the snow lynx’s paws.
A: Snow lynxes have large, furry paws that act like snowshoes. Their paws are designed to distribute their weight to allow them to walk on top of deep snow without sinking.
Q: How sharp are a snow lynx’s claws?
Image via depositphotos.
A: The claws of a snow lynx are retractable and razor-sharp.
Q: What is the lynx’s tail like?
A: The lynx’s tail is short, measuring about 4 to 8 inches.
Q: How good is the snow lynx’s eyesight?
A: Snow lynxes have great eyesight.
Q: What role do the lynx’s whiskers play?
A: The whiskers of a snow lynx are highly sensitive and help them to detect objects.
Q: Describe the snow lynx’s sense of smell.
A: A snow lynx’s sense of smell is very important for detecting prey.
Q: How fast can a snow lynx run?
A: Snow lynxes can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour in short bursts.
Q: Primary diet of a snow lynx?
A: The diet of a snow lynx consists of snowshoe hares, but they will also hunt small mammals, birds, and larger animals like deer too.
Q: How do snow lynxes communicate?
A: Snow lynxes communicate through vocalizations such as yowls, hisses, and purrs. Addiotnally, they also communicate through scent markings and body language.
Q: What adaptations help snow lynxes in their cold environment?
A: Snow lynxes are well-adapted to cold environments with their thick fur and large paws for walking on snow. Additionally, they have a keen sense of hearing to detect prey under the snow.
Q: What are some threats to snow lynxes in the wild?
A: Threats to snow lynxes include habitat loss, climate change affecting their prey populations, and hunting or trapping for their fur.
Wrap Up
Find the link to the video here.
Overall, the amazing journey of Sam Ellis and his bond with Mad Max in the video above resulted in groundbreaking footage and reminded us of the importance of wildlife conservation. Through patience and dedication, Ellis demonstrated the connections that can be created between humans and wild animals!
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