One chilly morning in Quebec, Canada, Mathieu Patry was making his way to work when he spotted a small furry creature on a wooded trail. At first glance, it looked like a tiny kitten, but as he moved closer, he was taken aback by what he saw.
Photo Credit: Mathieu Patry
The little animal was sitting quietly on the side of the path, looking both lost and vulnerable. “I thought at first it was a kitten,” Mathieu recalled. “But then I noticed the big paws, rounded ears, and unique markings—that’s when I realized this wasn’t a house cat at all.”
It was a Canadian Lynx kitten, alone and far too young to be fending for itself. Mathieu wasn’t sure whether the mother was nearby or if the little one had been abandoned. Unsure of what to do, he decided to leave the kitten where it was, hoping the mother might return. Yet, even as he walked away, the image of the helpless lynx stayed in his mind all day.
Photo Credit: Mathieu Patry
The next morning, he returned to the trail. From a distance, he could already hear soft cries. “I knew then that the mother wasn’t coming back,” Mathieu said. “He must have been the weakest of the litter and was left behind.”
Photo Credit: Mathieu Patry
Determined to help, Mathieu gently scooped up the lynx and carried him home. He immediately contacted a local zoo’s wildlife rehabilitation team for advice. The experts guided him on how to feed and care for the kitten until they could take over the next day.
Photo Credit: Mathieu Patry
That night, Mathieu kept a close watch, making sure the little lynx stayed warm and safe. By morning, the kitten seemed more alert, and it was time to make the trip to the zoo.
Photo Credit: Mathieu Patry
Once at the facility, wildlife rehabilitators confirmed that the lynx was still very young and would not have survived much longer on its own. Thanks to Mathieu’s quick thinking, the kitten was now in expert hands and receiving proper care. With time, nourishment, and rehabilitation, the young lynx is expected to grow strong enough to be released back into the wild.
Photo Credit: Mathieu Patry
What began as an ordinary walk to work turned into an extraordinary rescue. This little lynx’s journey back to the wild is now possible because one passerby cared enough to stop, help, and give him a fighting chance.
