Colorado and Washington State see wolverines in new places.
In recent years wolverines have been seen in places where they were not expected. Is this because people are looking for them or are they expanding their range? One wolverine in an isolated location does not mean that there is a sustainable population. There have been reports of radio tagged wolverines which have travelled very long distances across what would seem to be unsuitable habitat.
Recall the wolverine sighted in California on two occasions.
Here are two recent stories about wolverines in Washington State and Colorado.
Wolverine caught on camera on Mount Adams
Seattle Times
After 90 Years, the Wolverine (Just One) Returns to Colorado
New York Times
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Ken Cole
Ken Cole is a 5th generation Idahoan, an avid fly fisherman, wildlife enthusiast, and photographer. He is the interim Idaho Director for Western Watersheds Project. We do not accept unsolicited “guest” authors or advertising.
I observed my one and only wolverine out near the arctic circle in the Yukon about four years ago. I was above it enough to watch it through binoculars for some time. It was traveling through the tundra in about six inches of snow, using a strange, sometimes sideways, galloping lope and traveled a couple of miles in a short time. It stopped long enough to chase dozens of ravens away from a severly injured caribou, but did not take time to kill or feed on the caribou. It obviously had business to attend to on the other side of the mountain range and couldn’t be bothered. The ravens pecked the caribou to death after the wolverine left.
But the travels of M56 demonstrate that wolverine conservation “has to be a multistate effort at the big landscape level,” Mr. Inman said.
If wolverines can get protections then maybe some states will look into creating corridors. Plenty of suitable habitat exists for a reintroduction…
Larry, that must have been something to see. I have always wanted to see a wolverine in the wild. My cousin was lucky enough to see one at his cabin in Montana.
fyi,
He was spotted again.
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090715/ENTERTAINMENT06/90714005/1053/ENTERTAINMENT06
Too bad he hasn’t found a lady friend.