Lynx captured in downtown Fredericton

The Canadian lynx thatwasspottedcoweringby St.Dunstan'sparish church Saturday morning wascaptured after a short chase throughdowntown Fredericton.

The mature malecat was noosed and caged by officers from the Department of Natural Resources.

"We proceeded to chase this Lynx around the downtown until we finally got it underneath a deck," said Andrew Tingley, a forest ranger with Department of Natural Resources who responded to the call around 7:30 a.m. "We proceeded to use a noose, pulled a snare around it and put it in a dog kennel."

Tingley says the animal was was chased about a kilometer away from the churchyard where it was originally spotted and capturedwithout the use of tranquillizers in a residential area on Lansdowne Street.

"He appeared to be pretty exhausted," said Tingley. "He seemed very played out and I imagine he got chased around a bitlast night maybe by people, or dogs and cats in the city."

"It'sprettydocile," said DNR officer PhillipRussell, who wason the scene of the capture. "It very well could have beensomeone'spet."

The lynx looked "in pretty good health," Russell said. Given its proximity to the city's downtown core, there was a possibility it was an escaped orreleasedpet.

But, Tingley says that after an examination, he believes it is more likely the lynx was expanding its territory in order to secure a mate and got lost in the process.

"This is the time of year they breed," said Tingley. "The first of March towards the middle of April."

Tingley says the animal was evaluated by a wildlife technician.

Thecat was originally spotted directly across the street from the city's bustlingfarmersmarket. Sections of RegentStreetwere blocked off as Fredericton police and DNR officials responded.

The lynx was transported away while residents of the street looked on.

The Canadian lynx is considered an "at risk" speciesNew Brunswick,butofficialsbelievethere is a breedingpopulationestablishedwithin the province.