| Summary: | <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a zoonotic parasite globally infecting a wide range of species, including humans. Felids are the only known hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts into ecosystems. In boreal regions, Canada lynx (<i>Lynx canadensis</i>) are sought by hunters primarily for their fur, and they are occasionally eaten. We examined carcasses salvaged from trappers from boreal regions of eastern (<i>n</i> = 97) and western (<i>n</i> = 357) Canada. We detected <i>T. gondii</i> antibodies in fluid from thawed heart tissue using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DNA in brain and heart via magnetic capture and real-time PCR assay, and presence of DNA in feces using a real-time PCR with melt curve analysis. We detected antibodies against <i>T. gondii</i> and DNA in tissues in 24% and 19% of lynx, respectively. One lynx was positive for DNA of <i>T. gondii</i> in feces, which could indicate intestinal infection and potential for shedding oocysts. Our results indicate that lynx may be a useful sentinel species for monitoring environmental circulation of <i>T. gondii</i> in northern boreal regions and may pose a risk for transmission to other wildlife and to people handling or consuming lynx.
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