CALL HUGH JACKMAN! Wolverine spotted in Oregon for the first time in 30 years
WALLOWA MOUNTAINS, OREGON: A wolverine was seen moving through suburban areas of Oregon this week, the first time the species had been observed outside of the Wallowa Mountains in over thirty years.
According to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the quickhatch was first spotted by a couple angling along the Columbia River near Portland on March 20, more than 250 miles from its usual range. Before it fled, the enormous creature was captured on camera by the anglers. Wildlife biologists later confirmed the sighting after finding a pair of tracks along the riverbank.
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The wolverine is probably passing through Portland on its way to find a good habitat
The wolverine's fluffy black tail was once again spotted through the undergrowth next to a road in Damascus two days later. “Given the proximity to Portland, we were very surprised when this report came in and elated when we were able to verify the sighting,” ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Dave Keiter said in a statement. The glutton, which can travel 30 miles a day, is probably passing through Portland on its way to find a good habitat, according to state scientists.
Hey, is that a wolverine…again? The bushy tail, blackish brown coat and pale brown stripe along its side certainly look wolverine-like! A second sighting of the wolverine was reported in Damascus, Oregon on Wednesday after an initial sighting along the Columbia River on Monday. pic.twitter.com/mpGjVKsxL5
— Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (@MyODFW) March 23, 2023
Wolverines have been infrequently observed in Oregon over the past century
As per New York Post, it was originally believed that the creature, which is frequently seen at high elevations and connected to snowpack, had been driven out of Oregon by 1936. Throughout the ensuing decades, witnesses claimed sporadic wolverine sightings, but it was difficult to confirm them. A wolverine hit by a car in 1990 close to Cascade Locks, a city located roughly 40 miles east of Portland, provided evidence that the species was still covertly residing there.
Wolverine sighted along Columbia River near Portland - https://t.co/Zak6ohtBPO
— Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (@MyODFW) March 22, 2023
📸 Provided by @Cascadia_Wild pic.twitter.com/8lCBIAAqAm
Wolverines had only been discovered in the state's Wallowa Mountain region up until March 20. According to ODFW, wolverines have been infrequently observed in Oregon over the past century. People are encouraged to report any additional wolverine sightings by Cascadia Wild and ODFW. Community science is crucial to monitoring and conservation activities, and it is possible for unique wildlife observations to occur anywhere. “Some of the best information on wildlife can come from regular people who are paying attention to what they see,” said Teri Lysak, wolverine tracking coordinator with Cascadia Wild. “Many thanks to the couple who saw this animal and took the time to share it with us,” she added.
