Wolverines are notorious animals with a reputation for being bold and fearless. They are solitary hunters that live in some of the most extreme environments on the planet. They used to have a population all over America, but they have gone down dramatically due to shrinking habitats and hunting. Thankfully, there are still a few states where you could spot one out in the wild.
Wyoming, Washington, And Idaho
The state of Wyoming has a thriving wolverine population where conservation acts allow them to live free from human encroachment and habitat loss. They use the mountainous terrain as shelter from other animals as well as the elements. They roam the landscapes of Wyoming, foraging and hunting when they can.
Washington’s snowy regions are the perfect environment for wolverines to flourish, with around 25 individuals thought to populate the area. Cameras set up by conservationists even capture wolverine activity from time-to-time.
There’s a trend to where wolverine populations are their strongest. Idaho has mountainous areas are protected lands that the wolverines prefer to dwell in. They use the snow to create dens where its a safe environment to bring up their young. Hopefully, the wolverine population here can slowly recover.
Oregon, Montana, And California
The Wallowa Mountains in Oregon have seen wolverine activity in the past, but there’s even evidence of them lower down the mountain. The population in Oregon is watched closely by conservationists, who are trying to support them and let their population flourish again.
Wolverines like to migrate between the border of the United States and Canada through Montana’s mountain corridors. Leaving these passages open is crucial to keep the population between both countries. The wolverines in Montana are roamers and enjoy the freedom of space that the state offers.
Califronia’s wolverine population is especially elusive, with only two animals being spotted in over a hundred years. In 2008, Yosemite National Park saw one wolverine roaming the area. California is a good habitat for wolverines and offers them a choice to expand naturally.
Utah And Colorado
The Uinta Mountains also saw one individual wolverine that was given a GPS tracker before being released back into Utah’s landscape. This tracker allows researchers to learn more about wolverine habits and migratory behavior. It could even lead them to a larger population.
Wolverines love high-altitude snowy mountains, and Colorado has just what they need. Sightings in the state are exceedingly rare, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a population high up on the isolated peaks. The Rockies offer them the perfect sanctuary if they decide to expand to the edge of their territory.
Nevada And Minnesota
While Nevada once saw a wolverine population, there haven’t been any confirmed sightings recently. Laws protecting the animals’ habitat have been passed so hopefully they can eventually trickle back into the state and repopulate it. There have been unconfirmed sightings, which spark hope among wildlife experts.
Since wolverines love to roam over vast territories, which means although their population isn’t known in Minnesota, there have been sightings in the state’s boreal forests during winter when the environment is perfect for them. There is still speculation on whether or not they will settle in the area eventually or continue to roam.
Past Sightings, Origins, And Conservation Work
There are many sightings of wolverines from the 1800s in the United States, but these records are less than reliable. Many accounts where an animal was recorded as a wolverine ended up being a bobcat or Canada lynx.
Wolverines’ origins are still somewhat unknown, with there being debates about if they were native to the region before European settlers or if they were introduced to the region. Their elusive nature makes it difficult for conservationists to reliably record their population.
Although they have seen a decline in their population for many years, they have only been protected since 2003 under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation work,as well as climate change mitigation methods, are crucial to keep the snow that is essential to their habitats.
