Basic Information
The wolverine, also known as glutton, carcajou, skunk bear,or quickhatch, is an endangered species that lives in the Boreal Forests of Banff, Alberta, Canada. The wolverine is the largest in the weasel family that lives on land. It resembles a small bear in its physical looks and its personality; they are known for their ferocity and strength to kill animals much larger than they are. The wolverine is a solitary animal. Although technically the wolverine is a 'Least Concern' on the conservation status scale, conservationists have been and are currently attempting to get their status raised to 'Threatened' as they deserve.
Physical Appearance
The wolverines are small bear-like creatures who have sharp teeth and claws. Their jaws are also equipt to chew through the thick skin and muscle of their prey. Their fur is thick and resists frosts, an adaptation to the cold climate in the Boreal Forest. The wolverines' bodies tend to be twenty six to forty one inches in length. They live seven to twelve years on average in the wild.
Predators and Prey
The wolverine eats mammals that are weakened by traps, sickness or snow including newborn mammals and adult animals that may be injured. The mammals they also prey on include porcupines, squirrels, beavers, rabbits, caribou, deer, sheep, moose, and elk. Less common animals are occasionally preyed on, including foxes, weasels, coyotes, and wolf pups. Their diets can be supplemented with bird's eggs, birds, and seeds. However, wolverines mainly eat carrion, or the decaying flesh of dead animals. They may find it themselves or take it from another animal. Wolverines will travel up to fifteen miles in one day in order to obtain a meal.
Why are they endangered?
The wolverine is going extinct because they require a large amount of land and space and the Aboriginals and citizens of Banff are populating areas that intrude on wolverines. Also, their pelts are frost-resistant and therefore are popular among hunters for the production of winter coats.
So why should we care?
Should the wolverine go extinct, like any animal, the food web would be altered. However, since the wolverine is both an omnivore and a detrivore, it would affect their biome even more so. For example, the population of newborn animals and the other animals that they prey on would increase dramatically and therefore, producers such as grasses and bushes would diminish in population size. Also, the carrion amounts would increase, requiring the decomposers and other detrivores to work harder. In conclusion, if the wolverine went extinct, many populations of animals in the Boreal Forest would be severely altered.
How can we save the Wolverine?
In order to help save the wolverine, the people of Banff need to respect the wolverine's need for space and their land as well as informing them that hunting the wolverine will greatly harm their species. Also, writing and sending letters to the Minister of Environment, who decides which animals are and are not endangered will help raise their status to 'Endangered' officially.