LOCAL NEWS

Utah DWR captures, collars and releases wolverine; only 8th confirmed sighting since 1979

Mar 14, 2022, 12:02 PM | Updated: 4:15 pm

(Utah DWR)...

(Utah DWR)

(Utah DWR)

RANDOLPH, Utah — Biologists have placed a GPS collar on a wolverine for the first time after the elusive animal was captured in Rich County last week.

This marks only the eighth confirmed sighting of a wolverine in Utah since 1979.

“It’s amazing to get a chance to see a wolverine in the wild, let alone catch one,” said Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Northern Region Wildlife Manager Jim Christensen. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The wolverine was first spotted on March 10, about 6 miles west of Randolph. Biologists said a sheepherder came across the wolverine while it was in the process of killing and wounding 18 of his sheep.

The wolverine then took off, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture was performing livestock protection efforts in the area and sent a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft to investigate the attack.

(Utah DWR)

From the air, USDA Wildlife Services personnel spotted the wolverine running through the snow, and they contacted the DWR.

DWR crews set up two barrel traps and removed all of the dead sheep from the area. They cut two hindquarters and put each into a trap and hoped for the best.

(Utah DWR)

“There was so much activity in the area that morning, I thought the wolverine would be long gone and we wouldn’t be able to catch it,” Christensen said.

The private landowner and a sheepherder checked the traps on March 11 but found no wolverine. Later in the day, a second sheepherder returned to the area and saw that the door on one of the traps was closed. Inside? The first wolverine ever captured by biologists in Utah.

A DWR conservation officer and biologists retrieved the traps and transported them to their Ogden office, where the wolverine was sedated.

Crews “then drew blood, collected hair samples and took a series of measurements,” according to the DWR. “Throughout the examination, they monitored the animal’s heart rate, breathing, and temperature, applying alcohol and ice to its armpits and stomach to keep it cool. Before reversing the effects of the drug, they also attached a GPS collar to its neck.”

(Utah DWR) (Utah DWR) (Utah DWR) (Utah DWR) (Utah DWR) (Utah DWR) (Utah DWR) (Utah DWR)

Biologists said the wolverine is a male between 3 and 4 years old. It weighed 28 pounds and was 41 inches from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail.

“The animal had good, sharp teeth,” Christensen said. “It was in really good condition.”

Crews then placed the wolverine back into the trap and reversed the effects of the drug.

“It took only a couple of minutes for it to start waking up,” Christensen said. “Pretty soon, it was wide awake and as lively as ever.”

Biologists transported the animal to the Uintah Mountains, where it was released on public land Sunday evening.

The DWR said the chance to track this wolverine is priceless, and the GPS data will provide invaluable information to biologists.

They hope to see when and where the animal travels, the size of its home range and the type of habitats it uses at different times of the year. All of the information will be used to manage wolverines in Utah — an area that’s at the very southern edge of the wolverine’s range in the United States.

“Having a collar on this wolverine will teach us things about wolverines in Utah that would be impossible to learn any other way,” Christensen said. “Four different wolverine sightings were confirmed in Utah in 2021. Were we seeing the same animal or different animals? Having a collar on this animal will help us solve that riddle.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Loren Richardson shoots video of him snowboarding when a Brighton man confronted him on Feb. 26. Th...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Brighton resident charged with threatening, pointing shotgun at snowboarder

A Brighton man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and accused of pointing a shotgun at a backcountry skier who went on his property on Feb. 26.

1 hour ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

Breeze Airways announces new flights out of Provo to Dallas Fort Worth

Getting to the Lone Star State just got easier. Breeze Airways announced a new flights to Dallas Fort Worth from Provo.

2 hours ago

(KSL TV)...

Andrew Adams

Data shows significant uptick in gas prices over past month in Salt Lake area

Gas prices rose considerably over the past month in the Salt Lake area, according to data from industry watchers.

3 hours ago

A UDOT snowplow clears the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 9. Up to 2 feet of snow or more is...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Rain, snow to impact many parts of Utah throughout Easter weekend

It might be spring, but winter weather remains in Utah's forecast for Easter weekend as the end of the traditional snowpack collection period nears.

4 hours ago

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

14 hours ago

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Utah DWR captures, collars and releases wolverine; only 8th confirmed sighting since 1979