Wolverine Ecology and Management in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Authors(s): R. Wigglesworth and J. Beecham

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: annual report

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Abstract: Objectives This study is designed as a comprehensive, long-term field research program in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The objectives of the program are to document wolverine population status, vital rates, and ecology; determine impacts of human influences on wolverine populations; and develop management techniques and recommendations based on our findings. Our specific objectives area as follows: 1. Determine population size and trend, and validate or develop methods to assess population trend. 2. Document population demographics (survival, reproduction, habitat use, food habits, activity patterns, movement, home range). 3. Test for the effects of recreational (snowmobiling, fur-trapping, ungulate hunting, skiing, hiking/camping) and commercial (logging, housing development, grazing, ski resort development) activities on population demographics. 4. Describe interspecific relationships of wolverines with other large carnivores and ungulates. 5. Locate dispersal corridors. Findings and Status In the winter of 2001, Hornocker Wildlife Institute/ Wildlife Conservation Society became the primary investigators of the wolverine study on the Teton study area. This winter's trapping effort remained highly coordinated with the Alta Wyoming 4H Natural Resources Club and Jeff Copeland, the initial investigators. The study area encompasses large portions of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), Wyoming and the Targhee National Forest, Wyoming. Objectives during this field season included a capture effort on the western slope of the Teton Range in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, bait-site track and camera surveys to determine trap-site locations on the eastern slope of the Teton Range in GTNP, and monitoring radio-implanted wolverines for survival, movements, and home range estimation. Six log box-traps were placed on the western slope of the Teton Range to capture and radio-instrument wolverines. Trap sites were established as early as January 4 and were closed by March 25 due to snow conditions and bear activity. Two wolverines were captured 5 times in 373 trap-nights, resulting in a capture rate of 1/75 trap-nights. On three additional occasions, wolverines were captured but chewed through the log box-trap and escaped. M561, an adult male who had been radio-implanted during 1999, was captured in January and fitted with a new radio-implant. M561 was also recaptured three more times during the winter. M621, a yearling male, was captured in January for the first time and was fitted with a radio-implant. Both wolverines were located via aerial telemetry beginning in late January. M561 was located on 42 occasions in 2001 and M621 was located on 11 occasions before his signal was lost in April. Extensive aerial searches have not been able to locate M621. Four bait and camera sites were placed on the eastern slope of the Teton Range. Sites were established in early-mid February, and were closed by March 26 due to snow conditions. Sites were checked for tracks and photos every 7-10 days. Wolverine tracks were observed near two of the bait sites (approximately 40-60 meters from the bait sites). A total of 133 camera-days resulted in 109 photographs. Species detected via camera included marten, raven, weasel, bobcat, and coyote. However, no wolverines were photographed. During the fall of 2001 a proposal for the necessary permit to build traps within GTNP was written and approved. Two of four approved log box traps were constructed in GTNP, and two additional traps were built on the West slope of the study area, bringing the total number of traps in the Teton Range to nine. We collected road-killed ungulates with the help of GTNP, Wyoming Department of Transportation, and Wyoming Department of Game and Fish to use as trap bait.

Keywords: Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, animal, mammal, wolverine, Gulo gulo, population, ecology, mortality, habitat, human activity, management, breeding, den, denning, food , forage, migration, hunting, carnivore, ungulate, Targhee National Forest, radio collar, bear, Ursidae, raven, Aves, ornithology, bird, Corvus corax, weasel, Mustelidae, Mustela erminea, Felidae, bobcat, feline, Felis rufus, canine, Canidae, coyote, Canis latrans