The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Curious Cats - A family of lynx has been our neighbors for many years. They live in the nearby woods where we walk every day, paths crossing a few times each year. Sometimes it’s the male out hunting hares. Sometimes on a sunny winter day, the female takes the kittens out for a stroll. Despite the many dogs in the neighborhood, we have never heard of a serious dog-lynx interaction. Few dogs would be bold enough to take on a full grown lynx, and when a lynx is threatened they find a branch. I have seen them sitting in a spruce tree, watching absently until the barking dogs have lost interest and headed home. It was for this reason, this relationship with the wild cats in our area, that I found the recent reports of dogs attacked by lynx in the Yukon Territory so curious. Two incidents have occurred in as many weeks, with injured pets having to be extracted from the mouths of aggressive cats. There have been other instances reported, one attack on a leashed dog in Ontario in 2018, and five dogs in Inuvik in 2019. In the Yukon, climate change and food stress are described as possible drivers. Which is not surprising given lynx are adapted to snow. We look for clues in Canada and around the north, on ways to help our lynx neighbors, and preserve our good relations. Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Dog attacks not typical lynx behaviour, says Yukon biologist Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada CBC / February 8, 2021 Twice in the last couple of weeks, dog have been attacked by lynx. Biologist Tom Jung says climate change may be a factor, affecting the amount of food available. Snowshoe hares in Yukon are now in about the third year of decline. Read article on CBC
	Peat fires continue to burn at air temperature of -50C in northeastern Yakutia Saydyp, Altai Krai, Russia Siberian Times / January 27, 2021 Pillars of smoke were filmed over the areas hit by last summer’s wildfires despite the current long spell of extremely cold weather. Read article on Siberian Times
	Photographer shares eerie sounds skating on newly-formed ice Lake Baikal Siberian Times / February 8, 2021 Alexey Kolganov films himself skating on transparent ice of lake Baikal, as new cracks form under his skates. Most surprising is the unexpected, cosmic sound. Read article on Siberian Times
	Had to go into the flood to save car Jordet, Trysil river, Norway Mette Finborud Børresen, Hans Andreas Solbakken, Torunn Myhre, Ola Bjørlo Strande / NRK / February 3, 2021 Several properties in Trysil have been affected by flooding after ice flow in Trysilelva. The garage where Johnny Stenbrenden has his beloved Chevrolet Camaro was flooded. Read article on NRK
	Major winter storm blasts Cape Breton Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada David Jala / The Telegram / February 8, 2021 Cape Breton finally looks like a winter wonderland. A quick-moving storm that raced across Atlantic Canada dropped about 37 cm of snow over the Sydney area. Read article on The Telegram
	Closed ski resorts have best snow in years Aviemore, Scotland, United Kingdom Steven McKenzie / BBC News / February 4, 2021 Andy Meldrum, of Glencoe Mountain, said his business is working towards a date when they can welcome back skiers and snowboarders. Despite the most magnificent conditions in 11 years, the slopes remain closed because of lockdown. Read article on BBC News
	Salmon freeze to death in the Skjoma river in Narvik – Statkraft refuses to release more water Skjoma, Narvik, Norway Sondre Skjelvik, Frida Brembo / NRK / February 2, 2021 The Skjoma River in Narvik is frozen through in several places – and locals fear the salmon population will have to endure a sharp reduction again. Statkraft says it will lose money if they release more water. Read article on NRK

The Northern Climate Observer is published by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news coverage from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events. Thank you for reading our newsletter and for paying attention to our changing world.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern Climate Observer is published weekly by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer