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| AP Photo Archive |
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| Yellowstone National Park’s Wolverine Conservation Study researchers monitor the pulse and temperature of a wolverine, March 22, in the Gallatin National Forest north of Yellowstone National Park. |
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A bobcat trapper in Idaho’s Upper Snake River region made an unusual phone call to Senior Conservation Officer Cole Wilke of Arco on Feb. 13: one of his traps had inadvertently captured a wolverine.
The same wolverine was again trapped in Yellowstone National Park last week.
In February, the wolverine had severely damaged its own front foot in an attempt to escape the trap and could not simply be released, so it was tagged and later released in Yellowstone.
Not many people are familiar with wolverines, because not much is known about them. In the past, folklore has made them out to be vicious, dark creatures. One Native American name for the wolverine is carcajou, meaning Evil Spirit or Mountain Devil.
“Most people don’t even know wolverines are real animals,” said Amanda Kruse, an animal science major and freshman from Eugene, Wash. “They hear the name wolverine and think of wolf-man and werewolves.”
Perhaps such misnomers have been encouraged by the solitary, nocturnal and seemingly sly habits of these animals. Much about their nature is a mystery besides their physical characteristics, which include brown fur, claws and size — about the weight of an average dog.
Because of the lack of understanding, scientists have grabbed at every opportunity to learn more over the past several years.
Wilke, while trying to decide how best to handle this wolverine’s accidental capture, was fortunate enough to come into contact with one scientist aware of the current search for knowledge concerning wolverines. Lauri Hanauska-Brown, a regional wildlife biologist in charge of non-game species, saw an opportunity in the capture of this animal.
Just recently, several studies typifying the habits of wolverines have begun to emerge. For example, beginning in 2000 the Wildlife Conservation Society began capturing and tagging wolverines in the northwestern United States to study their traveling habits.
When the WCS was informed of the wolverine’s accidental imprisonment, they offered to donate an abdominal implant radio transmitter so they could track the animal’s movements and learn more about these elusive Idaho residents.
The wolverine was then taken to Dr. Don Betts, a veterinarian in Driggs, Idaho, who has assisted WCS in the capture of wolverines for the purpose of implanting tracking devices in the past.
The female wolverine remained at the veterinary clinic until Feb. 23, when she was released back to her home, northwest of Arco.
Nine days after her release, the WCS began picking up a signal from her radio transmitter, and they plan to continue monitoring her movements throughout the Limhi Mountain Range.
Jerry Scrivner, of the Animal Science Department, said this transmitter can help provide scientists with information they lack.
“By tracking animals you can find out how far they travel and what their home range is,” Scrivner said. “Tracking also helps identify sources and rates of mortality.”
