WOLVERINES in California

Images

Click thumbnail to download hi-res image.

A series of wolverine photos taken in the Tahoe National Forest on March 16, 2008 by a remote sensor camera.  This represents a third wolverine location where a wolverine was photographed.  This camera station is part of the collaborative effort to obtain additional information on the whereabouts of the animal and to collect genetics samples.  Visible in the photographs are the bait (deer) and the wire used to attach the bait to nearby trees.

A photo taken by a motion-sensitive camera on the Tahoe National Forest provides verifiable evidence of a wolverine in California, according to scientists at the Pacific Southwest and Rocky Mountain Research Stations. Wolverines have not been scientifically confirmed in California since the 1920s. Forest Service, Oregon State University photo.

Side view of a wolverine photographed by a remotely triggered camera at a snare established, by another study, for the purpose of collecting hair from American martens.  The snare is comprised of a black plastic base from which brass gun-cleaning brushes are attached.  Bait, which is normally attached immediately above the marten hair snare, had already been removed by another animal prior to the wolverine’s arrival (Photograph courtesy of the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station and Oregon State University)

Top view of a wolverine photographed by remotely triggered camera at a snare established, by another study, for the purpose of collecting hair from American martens.  The snare is comprised of a black plastic base from which brass gun-cleaning brushes are attached.  Bait, which is normally attached immediately above the marten hair snare, had already been removed by another animal prior to the wolverine’s arrival. (Photograph courtesy of the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station and Oregon State University)

Wolverines are known to mark food they scavenge on by leaving scats (feces) or hair nearby.  This portion of a road-killed deer carcass is wired between two trees to prevent animals from prematurely removing it.  A remotely-triggered camera (not visible) takes a photograph when animals visit this detection station.  If a wolverine is photographed, scats and hair are collected for genetic analysis. (Photograph courtesy of the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station).

Wolverine hair snare, consisting of a barbed wire-wrapped wooden fence post strapped to a tree.  Bait (raw chicken) attached to the top platform entices an animal to climb the post and rub against the wire, leaving tufts of hair that are collected and analyzed for genetic information relating to the animal's species, sex, and lineage. (Photograph courtesy of the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station).