Expert says lynx don't pose threat to humans after teen records animal in front yard

LEXINGTON, Mich. (WXYZ) — A teenage boy recorded a lynx roaming around his front yard after his dog was barking wildly at the animal.

• Teen records Lynx roaming around front yard in Lexington

Hunter Soper, 16, says he spotted the lynx prowling around his front yard around 9 a.m. on Feb. 16. He says he was stunned and grabbed his phone and began recording.

"It was pretty cool," Soper said.

The teen couldn’t believe his eyes when he took a look outside his bedroom window to see what his dog was barking at.

"At first I just kind of thought it as a deer because we get those crossing in and out by the woods, but I was surprised when I saw a cat, I guess a lynx," he said.

The close encounter happened at Soper's home in Lexington. He says the Lynx appeared to be just looking around and wasn’t a threat.

"It’s probably the size of a lab, middle-size dog 30-35 pounds, (or) 40 – I don’t know for sure," Soper said.

Dr. Randi Meyerson, the deputy chief life sciences officer for the Detroit Zoological Society, says for the most part these cats aren’t a threat to humans.

"They really shouldn’t feel threatened in that they’re very shy and secretive, and so they’re more likely to avoid you than come at you," Meyerson said.

It’s a sight the teen will remember forever. He says it’s OK if he never sees the lynx again, but it was pretty cool.

"Everybody says it’s a Canadian lynx and we’re not from Canada, we’re in Michigan. So I don’t know, it’s pretty cool," Soper said.

It’s important to note. If you see a wild animal on your property, don’t approach it or try feeding it, and be sure to report it to your local authorities.