First Wolverine in California in 30 Years

A camera array in California's Sierra Nevada mountains captured confirmed evidence of a wolverine for the first time in more than 30 years, a Forest Service official told colleagues yesterday.

The photo was taken in a relatively pristine part of Tahoe National Forest that Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Hilda Solis have proposed to protect as a Wilderness Study Area under their California Wild Heritage Act.

Forest Service Ecologist William J. Zielinski reported that the find (which came as a result of work by graduate student Katie Moriarty) was confirmed by wolverine expert Jeff Copeland. Zielinski and his team are now working to find out where this wolverine came from.

Wolverines need immense ranges to survive and can cover hundreds of miles in a few days.

They need help though: they've been exterminated through large parts of their range and it's unknown how many live in California. Defenders of Wildlife has been working to get them declared an endangered species but the Bush administration has blocked their efforts so far, even though trapping has severely limited their numbers. The Bush administration is also making things worse by trying to remove endangered species protections for grey wolves. Wolverines often feed on carrion left over by wolves -- bad news for wolves is bad news for wolverines.

Nevertheless, this news is a ray of hope for American wildlife.

Follow Glenn Hurowitz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/glennhurowitz

Comments

[WilliePilgrim]

Interesting news. I've heard it said that their ecological niche is as a scavenger of carrion in avalance zones and mountainous areas with frequent landslides, their compact bodies are ideally suited through evolution for trundling talus and boulders to retrieve the remains of animals swept away in rock slides and avalances where their equisite sense of smell would give them an advantage at locating food,as well as preying on marmots and oher burrowing animals high in the alpine regions. Id' be surprised if they weren't there, far from areas frequented by humans and therefore undetected. One story I'd heard from a wolverine researcher is that wolverines were very shy and upon discovering humans in an area they would immediately leave and travel tens of miles to another area presumably to avoid contact. Big, undeveloped areas are generally considered a prerequisite for their natually sparse distribution.

[stevesrant]

Thanks for the good news. I'm sure you'll get comments asking what we need wolverines for. I guess we don't NEED wolverines; or tigers or rhinocerous or wolves or honeybees - wait, we need honeybees don't we? Now I can't remember, which side of the Disney circle of life are wolverines on, the good lions or the bad hyenas?

[mamacat]

If one of the researchers would post their e-mail address, I would be happy to tell them where to find more wolverines. There is still some wild land in Southern California where I found some 30+ years ago. That land is still wild, and it would surprise me if there are not still wolverines there.

[Clinton]

Cool! Where?

[altohone]

Turning around in your skin makes up for the whole Red Dawn aftertaste.

They are so cool.

[JoDeeVa]

That is SO exciting! I have been following a program to try and capture footage of wolverines here in Oregon. Anecdotal stories have given some credence to their presence here and now with this proof of their presence in the Sierra Nevadas, it is an encouraging sign that they will soon be spotted on film here! Perhaps, they traveled south from Oregon for the more temperate climate of California..or, more likely..for the carrion, which is rapidly disappearing with other species' protections. Such a delicate balance that often results in unexpected consequences. Or, at least that is what the current theory is on why they're disappearing. Wolves have been re-introduced into areas of Oregon, but that has also proved to be as controversial here as for other areas.

Still...Indeed, this news is a ray of hope for American wildlife. Thanks Glenn, for making my day on this day when all focus is on that other wildlife story of the human animals being spotted in Texas and Ohio! Call me a tree-hugger or wolverine-wacko, but I think I feel more a kindred-spirit with the wolverine than with those human animals! I love your consideration of what's equally important to be sharing with us today!

[Quaoar]

Cool! Maybe if wolverines can make it back to California, then so can wolves and other species which have been gone from the state for many years.

[Clinton]

Not to mention the marine life that used to be so plentiful all along the coast.

[Clinton]

This is great news. The Sierra Nevada mountain range is an absolute treasure. It should be cherished forever.