Monthly Archives: March 2012

Elusive wolverine photographed in Montana

The Wildlife Conservation Society snagged a camera trap photo of a Wolverine recently. No word on where in Montana it was photographed. Here’s the original image and press release . . .

BOZEMAN (February 29, 2012) – A baby bear on stilts, perhaps? Nope. Conservationists with the Wildlife Conservation Society recently released this camera-trap photo of a wolverine retrieving bait placed in a tree in Montana. The frame upon which the animal climbs is designed so that the unique markings on the underside of the wolverine are revealed to the motion-sensing camera. Scientists use these markings to identify individual animals and document their distribution and range. WCS’s eight-year study of wolverines in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has led to a better understanding of wolverine ecology and will help inform conservation strategies so that this rare species can survive despite the 21st century conservation challenges it faces. An estimated 250-300 wolverines remain in the “lower 48,” where they occupy about half of their former range in high alpine peaks of the western United States.

 

Grizzlies beginning to stir in Yellowstone area

It’s that time again. A few grizzly bears are up and about near Yellowstone National Park and we’ll likely see the same around here soon . . .

Reports of grizzly bear sightings at lower elevations east of Yellowstone National Park have begun to trickle in to wildlife officials, and food storage regulations on several national forests went into effect on Thursday.

Continue reading . . .

Despite hunt, Montana wolf population rose 15 percent in 2011

Posted yesterday evening to the Missoulian . . .

The number of wolves in Montana increased by 15 percent to at least 653 animals despite the state’s efforts to reduce the population with an extended hunting season, state wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks officials said 87 more wolves were counted at the end of 2011 than were in the state a year before. There were 130 verified packs and 39 breeding pairs counted, also increases from 2010 numbers.

Continue reading . . .