Cape May County Zoo Welcomes Rescued Eurasian Lynx

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — Cape May County Park and Zoo has announced a new arrival: Leonardo DiCatprio, or Leo, a 5-year-old Eurasian lynx now living in the zoo’s Small Mammals section near the porcupine and bobcats.

Leo was previously kept as a pet and was rescued after wandering the streets of Long Island, NY, according to the announcement. He spent the past four years at the Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center in Brookhaven, Long Island, before coming to Cape May County. Visitors can see him daily during zoo hours from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Eurasian lynx is the largest lynx species and typically weighs between 40 and 77 pounds. The animals are found in mountainous areas throughout Europe and Asia and can be distinguished from bobcats by a solid black tail tip and the lack of white on the underside of the tail. In managed care, they can live up to 24 years.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome yet another exciting member of our Zoo family,” said Andrew Bulakowski, vice-director of the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners. “The care our animals receive is second to none, and our team is excited to work with Leo. We can’t wait for our residents and visitors to see him.”

The new addition comes after a record-setting year for the Cape May County Zoo. Last year, the zoo recorded 750,000 visitors, according to the announcement. The facility is located directly off Exit 11 of the Garden State Parkway.

More information about the Cape May County Park and Zoo is available at capemaycountynj.gov/1679/Park-Zoo.