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The Long Island lynx has a name.
Chilling and relaxing these days at the Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, the exotic cat captured prowling around in a Central Islip neighborhood on Wednesday, July 27, is now being called Leonardo De Catprio — or Leo for short — by staffers there.
An exam on the Eurasian lynx “revealed that he is in good shape, except for a few ear mites and parasites,” according to an Instagram post shared by the nature center.
Leo is a young male wild cat and probably will double in size, the nature center reported.
“He is resting now and happy with a full belly,” the nature center said in its Instagram post, which featured cute videos and photos of “Leo.”
“Leo will stay here for a short while until we can find a permanent happy home for this boy. Thank you everyone who brought him safely to us.”
Earlier reports indicated that the lynx is possibly an escaped pet. Strong Island Animal Rescue League worked with Suffolk County Police, Suffolk SPCA and state environmental authorities to locate and safely capture the wild cat.
Top photo: Sweetbriar Nature Center
