Defenders' Experts
Wolverine Trapping Continues in Montana
Defenders is very concerned about the ongoing trapping season on wolverines in the state of Montana. For a species that occurs at very low densities and reproduces quite slowly, trapping poses a great risk to the population, and has undermined the few scientific studies underway to better understand the ecology of this elusive species.
For example, one study that radio-tracked a male wolverine in February 2001 in the Yellowstone Ecosystem provided a whole new understanding of the species' ability to travel long distances. This male wolverine covered a total of more than 500 miles in 42 days. Unfortunately, the research ended suddenly when the animal was killed by a trapper in Montana.
In a two-year study conducted in the Pioneer Mountains, half of the wolverines that were radio-collared for research purposes were killed by trappers. An additional four non-collared wolverines were also trapped during this time frame. The local population cannot sustain such heavy trapping. In addition, the loss of 50 percent of the collared wolverines also seriously compromised this important study.
While Defenders has made progress in helping convince Montana to restrict trapping to just three remaining areas in western Montana, we will not be satisfied until wolverine trapping is prohibited in Montana, as it is everywhere else in the lower 48.
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