A Manitoba lynx that was rescued has been given a new diagnosis after being taken to Ontario. Lumi the lynx was discovered near Swan River in late August, where she was found with an injured eye and surrounded by dogs. Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Ile des Chênes, located approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Winnipeg, took in the lynx. They determined that due to permanent damage to her eye, Lumi could not be released back into the wild.
In October, Lumi’s condition worsened when she began experiencing severe seizures, as reported by Zoe Nakata, the executive director of Wildlife Haven. Despite having captured the hearts of the staff, the seizures posed a significant threat to Lumi’s health and well-being. To manage the seizures, the staff provided medication, but the root cause was unknown, prompting the decision to conduct an MRI and a comprehensive neurology assessment.
The lynx was transported to Guelph, Ontario, at the end of January for the tests, accompanied by Nakata and another Wildlife Haven staff member. The tests, involving an MRI, neurology assessment, and blood work, were carried out with assistance from the National Wildlife Centre and the Ontario Veterinary College. The results indicated that Lumi’s seizures were likely triggered by trauma-induced epilepsy, resulting from a brain injury sustained at the same time as her eye injury.
Lumi will require lifelong medication to manage the seizures, but understanding the underlying cause enables the team to provide tailored care for her. Although lynx can live up to 14 years in the wild or up to 26 years in captivity, Lumi is expected to be relocated to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. The trip for Lumi’s tests, costing around $10,000, was funded by generous donors.
Sherri Cox, the director of the National Wildlife Centre, expressed the uniqueness of hosting a lynx, as their facility primarily sees bobcats in southern Ontario. Cox highlighted the importance of Lumi’s diagnosis in guiding her treatment, ensuring no underlying conditions like brain tumors are present.
With Lumi settling back into her enclosure, the staff at Wildlife Haven have enhanced her living space with more perches for enrichment activities. Despite the delay in her relocation to the zoo due to the seizures, plans are in place for Lumi to make the Assiniboine Park Zoo her permanent home. Nakata emphasized the need to finalize Lumi’s care plan to ensure her stability and well-being in her new environment.