Some more information is coming out about the discovery of an exotic big cat found in a truck with a flat tire on a Southern Tier interstate reported on December 10.

New York State Police photo
New York State Police photo
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A local exotic animal attraction says it is in possession of the Canada Lynx found by New York State Police in a dog crate in a truck  on Interstate 86 in Chemung County when they stopped to help the motorist with a flat tire December 8.

In a statement issued by Animal Adventure Park’s publicist, the business says it “legally acquired” the animal from “a reputable seller.”  The statement says “It must be made clear that the park currently holds and has held the proper permits to possess this animal.”  The park said it only discovered a clerical issue that resulted in the driver not having the proper paperwork after the Lynx was found by authorities.

The Lynx was turned over to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police who finished transporting it to the Harpursville exotic animal park to be cared for.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
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The DEC had issued a statement saying “Canada Lynx are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the New York State Environmental Conservation Law as a threatened species.” The law prohibits transportation, sale, possession or importation of such an animal except under proper license or permit.

The driver of the truck, 24-year-old Dandy Vanskike of Missouri was ticketed for unpermitted transport and possession of a threatened species and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office was notified since the animal was transported over state lines.  Vanskike had told troopers he was driving the cat from Illinois to Animal Adventure Park.

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