Incredible footage shows stunning and rare animal 'posing' for trail cam in remote Minnesota woods

A stunning Canada lynx has been captured on a trail camera in northern Minnesota woodland, with rare footage showing the predator unknowingly striking a pose.

Biologist Tom Gable, lead of the Voyageurs Wolf Project, discovered the once-in-a-lifetime footage while reviewing thousands of hours of recordings.

The video, which was shot on Kabetogama Peninsula, shows the elusive lynx casually strolling through the woods before settling down just feet from the camera. The creature's curious gaze and rotating ears almost made it appear as if the lynx knew it was being filmed.

While the Voyageurs Wolf Project has captured lynx on camera before, Gable emphasized the extraordinary nature of this footage. He noted that most of the trail cameras that show lynx only catch them at night or at a distance

'A lot of fortuitous things have to happen, not only for the lynx to sit there, but for the lighting to be nice, and for there to be that pretty, North Woods background,' Gable told Star Tribune, 'Those are the things that make it really cool.'

Social media users have been captivated by the lynx's adorable appearance, with many describing it as 'friend-shaped.' 

The creature was filmed in a remote, heavily forested area only accessible by bushwhacking, is known to be home to approximately four wolf packs.

Gable's team maintains a network of 350 trail cameras to study wolf behavior in the region. Their research is funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

To increase the chances of capturing clear wildlife footage, cameras are strategically placed along well-used animal paths rather than busier areas like ATV trails or logging roads.

The Canada lynx, recognized by its distinctive long fur and black ear tufts, is considered a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. 

The species' population estimates in Minnesota range from 100 to 300.