The word “wolverine” evokes a slew of mental imagery: retractable metal claws, a guy in a black and yellow suit, or maybe even the more traditional wolf for some- but the mammal of the hour today is a scruffy creature with a bear-ish face. According to the National Wildlife Federation, this weasel relative can range from 17 to 40 lbs., around the size of a medium dog. Earlier this year, Governor Jared Polis signed Senate bill 24-171, approving wolverine reintroduction to Colorado. The Center for Biological Diversity reports that 30 females and 15 males will be reintroduced to the state by Colorado Parks and Wildlife over three years. But what does this mean for the species? What does it mean for us?
According to the Wildlife Society, wolverines are native to Colorado. They used to inhabit boreal forests, alpine, and tundra, but were poisoned (along with many other predators) and hunted for their fur in the early 20th century. They remain victims of cruel mythology and folklore because of their nature as scavengers and hunters, but Riley Woodford of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game explains that they aren’t especially aggressive. Wolverines contribute positively to the ecosystem by scavenging kills that predators such as wolves or bears leave behind. According to Travis Duncan for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, these omnivores have a diverse diet that includes everything from small mammals and birds to plants and carrion. However, they have occasionally been known to prey on mammals as large as deer or elk, which may have contributed to this humble creature’s sizable reputation. Establishing a new population in Colorado is crucial for the species, as the Center for Biological Diversity notes that there are less than 325 wolverines in the lower 48 states and this measly population is declining. If Colorado can set a positive example, perhaps other states will follow suit as well.
With an unkind reputation, some may have concerns about sharing the mountains with Wolverines again. However, as is true with other wildlife, wolverines aren’t interested in humans and will greatly keep to themselves. In an article for the Revelator, Molly McCluskey explains that livestock depredation is likely to be extremely low since wolverines rarely attack livestock and that livestock owners will be compensated if any losses do occur. Furthermore, wolverines’ habitats are so remote and high-elevation that they rarely overlap with human residences or development. This will naturally decrease conflict with people or livestock.
As the wolverine homecoming moves from legislation to action on the ground, we must consider how to be good neighbors so this species can prosper beyond their initial reintroduction. Climate change has severe direct and indirect impacts on wolverines. Defenders of Wildlife explain that wolverines rely on a certain amount of snowpack to make dens for their young. As winters warm and snowpack melts sooner in the year, new generations of wolverines are at risk. More indirectly, climate change affects the animals these predators rely on for food, such as snowshoe hare, who also call these frigid places home. By doing our part to live a climate-friendly lifestyle, spreading knowledge, and voting with the climate (and our animal neighbors) in mind, we can help make this a successful welcome back for the wolverine.
KHaley is a naturalist at Walking Mountains who feels a kinship with wolverines whenever she scavenges for midnight snacks.
Sources:
https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/colorado-to-reintroduce-wolverines-2024-05-20/
https://cpw.state.co.us/news/03052024/wolverine-reintroduction-bill-introduced-through-colorado-legislature
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Wolverine
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wolverine.printerfriendly#:~:text=The%20wolverine%2C%20a%20relative%20of,gulo%2C%20meaning%20%E2%80%9Cglutton.%E2%80%9D
https://www.endangered.org/wolverine/
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=692
https://www.iws.org/mammals/wolverine#:~:text=They%20reside%20in%20remote%20wilderness,grizzly%20bears%20and%20mountain%20lions.
https://wildlife.org/colorado-governor-welcomes-back-wolverines/#:~:text=Once%20native%20to%20Colorado%2C%20wolverines,from%20Colorado%20Parks%20and%20Wildlife.
https://therevelator.org/wolverines-comeback-in-colorado/
https://defenders.org/newsroom/defenders-applauds-colorado-law-bringing-wolverine-closer-reintroduction
https://defenders.org/wildlife/wolverine#:~:text=Wolverines%20require%20deep%20snow%20to,vital%20part%20of%20their%20ecosystem