Conservation groups challenge federal wolverine plan

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Can wolverines survive global warming? Map courtesy USFWS.

More protections needed to preserve North America’s rarest mammal

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A federal proposal to list wolverines as threatened under the Endangered Species Act doesn’t go far enough to protect the rare species, according to the Western Environmental Law Center, which called on the agency to use a “threatened” listing to ensure survival of North America’s rarest mammal.

The comment letter to the USFWS was submitted on behalf of 26 conservation groups  from across the wolverine’s range in the West. Federal biologists proposed listing wolverines in early February, responding to a court-ordered deadline. Global warming and habitat loss are seen as the main threats.

After being nearly extirpated from the contiguous 48 states by poisoning and trapping, populations started to recover, but there are only an estimated 250 to 200 individuals. (more…)

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Biodiversity: Draft wolverine plan gets mixed reviews

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Draft listing proposal ends with mixed reviews

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The USFWS takes another step toward finalizing a wolverine recovery effort. Photo courtesy USFWS/Steve Kroschel.

By Bob Berwyn

*Click here for more Summit Voice wolverine stories

FRISCO —A draft federal proposal to list wolverines as threatened under the Endangered Species Act elicited mixed reviews as the formal comment period ended May 6. Some states  in the northern Rockies opposed the proposal, saying that wolverines don’t need federal protection, but Colorado is generally supportive of the plan. At the same time, coalition of conservation groups asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ratchet up protection with an “endangered” listing.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will now consider all the comments and finalize a listing decision during the next year.

Wolverines are the largest member of the weasel family. They were hunted, poisoned and trapped to near extinction across much of their range in the early 20th century. Since then, populations recovered in the North Cascades, as well the Northern Rocky Mountains in Idaho, Montana, Oregon (Wallowa Range), and Wyoming. (more…)

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Feds propose threatened listing for wolverine

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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A wolverine in snow. Photo courtesy USFWS/Steve Kroschel.

Nonessential, experimental designation could help restoration effort in Colorado

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — North American wolverines may get some help facing the threat of global warming, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week proposed listing the omnivorous mammal as a threatened species, while designating a nonessential experimental population of the animals in the southern Rockies, including Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

The designation provides for allowable legal incidental taking of the wolverine within the defined nonessential population area and opens the door for a possible state-led reintroduction effort in Colorado. Under this designation, current land uses could generally continue unchanged if wolverines are reintroduced to Colorado in the future.

The announcement triggers a public comment period, as the agency seeks to shape a final version of the listing, taking input on any other potential threats faced by wolverines, and how the listing may affect human activities. Federal biologists aid they’d also consider whether reintroductions should be considered in other areas, including the Sierra Nevada of California. The formal proposal, along with public comment information, is HERE. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, climate and weather, endangered species, Environment, global warming, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Wolverine recovery plan on hold for now

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Federal decision on endangered species listing for rare carnivore will help determine how the state proceeds

A lone wolverine originally from Wyoming wandered into Colorado a few years ago and was most recently spotted near Mt. Bierstadt by Westminster photographer Cameron Miller. Click on the image to visit Miller’s website.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — A lone wolverine that’s been crisscrossing the Colorado high country for the past few years will have to wait a while longer for some company.

A tentative state plan to reintroduce the mountaineering omnivores is on hold at least until the federal government decides whether to list the species as threatened or endangered. Opposition from the ski industry and ranchers played a key role in putting the brakes on the proposed restoration.

In particular, Colorado Ski Country USA cited impacts of the lynx reintroduction program on ski areas and expressed concern about how a wolverine restoration could affect ski area plans, including terrain additions and operations within existing areas, said Eric Odell, species conservation coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Those key stakeholders want more certainty and assurances that a wolverine reintroduction won’t affect their activities, said Eric Odell,  A reintroduction would also require legislative approval, Odell added.

Most recently, wolverine M56 — a male who wandered from Wyoming to Colorado — was spotted in late April near Mt. Bierstadt, and then again in the vicinity of Winter Park, according to Odell. (more…)

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Wolverines face dire global warming threat

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Study suggests wolverine habitat could melt away by mid-century

A new climate change study casts doubt on the ability of wolverines to survive in the face of climate change. PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A targeted climate-change study by scientists with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder suggests that rising temperatures may completely eliminate existing habitat for wolverines in the contiguous United States.

“The researchers combined regional-scale climate projections with knowledge of a single species and its unique habitat to examine its vulnerability to a changing climate,” says Sarah Ruth, program director in National Science Foundations Directorate for Geosciences, which funds NCAR. “This study is an example of how targeted climate predictions can produce new insights that could help us reduce the impact of future climate change on delicate ecosystems,” she said.

Climate change is likely to imperil the wolverine in two ways: Reducing or eliminating the springtime snow cover that wolverines rely on for raising their young, and increasing August temperatures well beyond what the species may be able to tolerate. (more…)

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Colorado: Wildlife advocates focus on wolverines

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Will wolverines make a comeback in Colorado? PHOTO BY ZAC DOWLING, VIA THE CREATIVE COMMONS.

Conservation groups sponsoring a series of presentations around the state

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Wildlife advocates are teaming up for wolverine week in Colorado, with several presentations scheduled to give people a chance to meet on of the Rocky Mountains’ most elusive and interesting native mammals.

The series begins Jan. 26 at Battle Mountain High School in Edwards (6 pm. to 8 pm.), as biologist Jason Wilmot shares his experiences tracking, studying, and unraveling the mysteries about this rare animal.

“Their Latin name, Gulo gulo, means “glutton’s glutton” and they come by it because wolverines make their living by scavenging,” said Wilmot. “They have a tremendous sense of smell and will travel over an entire mountain following the scent of carrion that may be buried under six feet of snow. Then they eat as much as they can because they never know where or when their next meal will be.” (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, endangered species, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Wolverines won’t get federal protection for now

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Wolverines are threatened by global warming, but will have to wait a while before gaining the protection of the Endangered Species Act. PHOTO BY ZAC DOWLING VIA THE CREATIVE COMMONS.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acknowledges global warming threat, but says there are other species that need help more urgently

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Wolverines will join a long list of species that deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act but won’t be listed because of financial and administrative hurdles. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided Dec. 13 that those protections will be withheld indefinitely due to the backlog of other species awaiting an official listing.

The finding reverses a March 2008 determination made under the Bush administration that said wolverines did not warrant protection since adjacent populations in Canada are sufficiently healthy — a decision that was criticized as being made on a political, rather than a scientific basis. (more…)

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Colorado Division of Wildlife eyes wolverine restoration

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists are studying the feasibility of restoring wolverines to the state. PHOTO BY ZAC DOWLING, VIA THE CREATIVE COMMONS.

State wildlife officials are holding early discussions on the feasibility of a wolverine restoration program; Nov. 14 PBS program highlights wolverine conservation — see a trailer here

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado wildlife biologists are in the early stages of determining whether it’s possible to restore a wolverine population in the state, and there have already been some preliminary talks with stakeholder groups to get some feedback.

“This summer, the wildlife commission gave permission to talk about what a wolverine reintroduction might look like,” said Theo Stein, director of external affairs for the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

The discussions are based on a 1990s study that looked at lynx and wolverines. At the time, the agency decided to move ahead with a lynx recovery program and set aside the question of wolverines for a while, Stein explained. With the lynx program shifting gears into a more passive monitoring phase, Stein said the time could be ripe to bring another native carnivore back to the Colorado Rockies. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Colorado Division of Wildlife, endangered species, Environment, Summit County Colorado, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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