Wolverine Sighted in California in First Time in Over 80 Years

For the first time since 1922, there has been a documented sighting of a wolverine (Gulo gulo) in California. A remote-sensing camera, set up in the woods near Truckee, caught images of the animal as part of a wildlife assessment survey done by Sierra-Pacific Industries on their managed timberlands December 17. In a press release dated March 19, SPI publicized the sighting, which followed a still photograph taken by a graduate student 15 miles away in December.

DNA analysis on hairs left at both scenes revealed that the same male North American wolverine had been seen twice.

Analysis also showed that the animal was not a descendant of the last known Southern Sierra Nevada population, leading to the conclusion that it had strayed into California from known resident population in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Idaho, or from the Rocky Mountains.

"The North American wolverine is the largest terrestrial member of the weasel family. Adult males weigh 26 to 40 pounds, while females are 17 to 26 pounds. It resembles a small bear, with a bushy tail and broad head. The wolverine's diet includes carrion, small mammals, birds, insects, berries, and fungi," according to www.wolverinefoundation.org. The website also explains that wolverines have extensive home ranges, depending upon "gender, age and food availability."

Even though the wolverine had not been seen in California in over 80 years, it was considered a threatened species under California law, entitling it to special protection.

California has, in recent decades, seen a limited resurgence in the populations of two other large predators, the black bear and the mountain lion, or cougar. Naturalists credit improved forest protection laws for these population increases. At the same time, more people are living in areas that were considered backcountry until recently, which makes it more likely for such animals to be sighted.

"This is a rare and exciting experience for wildlife experts and forest managers," said SPI biologist Amanda Shufelberger. "Including the wolverine among the 250-plus wildlife species known to inhabit SPI lands is a welcome addition and supports the concept of balancing sustainable production of forest products with the protection of wildlife habitat" Ms. Shufelberger did not apparently comment on what impact, if any, the sighting would have on SPI's harvest plans.

In recent years, the Endangered Species Act has been used to stop or delay timber harvests in controversial area, particularly the old-growth redwood regions of Humboldt and Mendocino counties.