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About Alfonz

Alfonz arrived at the sanctuary with his mother Katia in August of 2003.  He was formerly housed at a breeding facility in Redmond, Oregon.  When the company couldn't afford to take care of their animals they decided to close its doors.  Alfonz and his mother were now without a home and destined for a life of unknowns.  When Chimps Inc. heard about this devastating situation we decided to take them both in. 

The Siberian lynx is the largest of the lynx family.  It is not known whether the Siberian or Eurasian lynx is a separate species from the Canadian and Iberian lynxes, or merely a sub-species of them.

The Siberian lynx has a broad distribution across most of Russia and Central Asia (including the Himalayan Range) and into Europe. An inhabitant of a variety of different environments, this lynx lives in both heavily forested areas as well as above the tree line in more barren areas. Generally considered an alpine predator, the Siberian lynx may reside at altitudes up to 6000 feet. Populations of these lynx exist over the entire Tibetan Plateau and throughout the Central Asian desert.

The fur of the Siberian lynx is quite thick to provide insulation and is generally gray color, with rust or yellow colored tints that change season to season. The characteristic flared facial ruff and long ear tufts make this lynx easy to confuse with the smaller cousin, the bobcat. While they both have short tails, the tip of a lynx tail is completely black as though it had been dipped in ink, while a bobcat?s tail has a lighter underside. Males can be 3 ? feet long and weigh up to 50 lbs. Females weigh between 35-40 pounds.

The long and powerful hind limbs of the Siberian lynx make them expert stalkers and exceptionally good at pouncing. Hunting usually occurs at night or in the early morning and late afternoon. Their prey includes pikas and large rodents, birds, rabbits and other small mammals.

Though this lynx is not endangered, human expansion nonetheless puts a strain on their population. The destruction of their habitat and prey base, as well as limited hunting for their fur, are the major threats to this beautiful cat's survival.

Would you like to adopt Alfonz? Your package will contain a personalized certificate, a photo and a short bio of Alfonz, a packet of greeting cards with beautiful pencil drawings animal residents by artist Alan Li and a one year subscription to our newsletter. Adoption packages make great gifts for friends and family.

Adopt Alfonz
Price:$50.00