Wolverine

Gulo gulo

General Status Rank: 
Sensitive
ELCODE: 
AMAJF03010
Common Name: 
Wolverine
Scientific Name: 
Gulo gulo
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Mustelidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

12 to 15 months (1st litter at 24 months) (B112); age at first parturition = 3 years (A117).
References: 
B112
A117

Longevity

Maximum of 18 years (average 8 to 10 years) (B112); maximum age reported in the wild = 13 years (A117).
References: 
B112
A117

Economic/Human Considerations

Furbearer species; fur good for parkas, bad = breaks into traps and caches
References: 
B001
Habitat
Large, sparsely inhabited wilderness areas with adequate year-round food supplies (large ungulates and carrion).
References: 
H115
R016
R125
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
R016
R143

Distribution

98% of the NWT, 1.1 million km2 (R243).
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B112
B113
R016
R243

Number of Occurrences

References: 
R243

Historical Distribution

21 % of the species range in Canada is in the NWT (R243).
References: 
R243

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
References: 
R016
R125
R243
Population

Population Size

Likely in the thousands (R016); 3,400-7,300 (R243).
Score: 
E = 2
References: 
H116
R016
R243

Density

Four study areas in Southern Arctic. Daring Lake: density decline 10.73/1,000 km2 (2004) and 3.72/1,000 km2 (2011), Diavik: 11.43 to 3.87/1,000 km2 decline between 2005 and 2011, Ekati: declined from 10.05 to 6.14/1,000 km2 over the same period, Kennady Lake: 4.6 to 5.2/1,000 km2 in 2005-2006 (refs in R243), no other density studies in the rest of range in NWT. These densities are moderate to high compared to other areas in North America (R243).
References: 
R243
Trends

Trends

Unknown in most of the NWT but are declining in barren lands due to caribou declines; stable for now (R243). The species has low resiliency to negative population pressures (R016, R125). Fluctuations with natural cycles driven by hare and caribou (R243). A recent decline (2004-2005 to 2011) of 34-61% occurred locally in three Southern Arctic ecozone study areas over seven to eight years. Populations in other ecozones are not monitored, except by harvest, which appears stable (R243).
Score: 
EG =
References: 
R016
R125
R243
Threats

Threats

Resource development in the NWT is increasing. Wolverines are relocated or killed at mine sites or exploration camps on the central barrens. Based on the experience in Alberta, oil & gas exploration could have a significant negative impact on wolverine populations (H118_2006). Barren-ground caribou herds have declined significantly since 2005. Reduced caribou have a negative impact on the productivity of wolverines. Increasing interest to sport hunt wolverines (see harvest rates in Inuvialuit, Gwich'in, and North Slave regions (H118_2006, H192, H193).
Score: 
C = M
References: 
R016
R125
A117
H118_2006
H192
H193

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Future increase in non-renewable resource development (R016; R125), development of road and seismic lines (R125).
Score: 
-
References: 
R016
R125
A117
H118_2006
H192
H193
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Sensitive
Status Rank Description: 
SARC assessned as a species that is not at risk in 2014. Near secure long term but ranked as sensitive (precautionary) due to some threats to populations with increasing human activity and decreasing prey (caribou) populations on the barren lands. Also, the species has intrinsic characteristics - low reproductive capability, nuisance kills - that make it vulnerable to human activities. Noted that knowledge is increasing but still remains very limited on most of the species' range in NWT.
S Rank: 
S3?
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2006, new COSEWIC report, new information in the NWT and proceeded to e-mail vote: 7 sensitive to 3 secure - modified from secure to sensitive. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change (rank calculator S3?). Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024
Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment: 
Not At Risk
2014
References: 
R2017007

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank: 
Not Applicable

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Special Concern
The species was considered a single unit and designated Special Concern in April 1982. Split into two populations in April 1989 (western and eastern populations). The original designation was de-activated. In May 2014, the eastern and western populations were considered as a single unit across the Canadian range and were designated Special Concern. (COSEWIC. 2014. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 76 pp.)
References: 
R016
R143

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Krebs, J, Lofroth, E., Copeland, J., Banci, V., Cooley, H., Magouin, A. Mulders, R. and Shults, B. (2004) Synthesis of survival rates and causes of mortality in North American wolverines. J. of Wildl. Manag. 68(3): 493-502 - A117 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • Mulders R (1999) Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) - Wolverine. CAFF - in preparation Draft - Ed. A. Gunn R. Mulders office; copy in database references - R125 Return
  • SARC (2014) Species status report on wolverine in the Northwest Territories. SARC - R243 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • COSEWIC (2003) Update COSEWIC Status Report on Wolverine. Draft written by B. G. Slough Copy on RWED library - R143 Return

Density

  • SARC (2014) Species status report on wolverine in the Northwest Territories. SARC - R243 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • COSEWIC (2003) Update COSEWIC Status Report on Wolverine. Draft written by B. G. Slough Copy on RWED library - R143 Return

Habitat

  • Graf R (1999) Personal Communication. Manager, Integrated Resource Management, Wildlife and Fisheries, RWED, HQ - H115 Return
  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • Mulders R (1999) Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) - Wolverine. CAFF - in preparation Draft - Ed. A. Gunn R. Mulders office; copy in database references - R125 Return

Historical Distribution

  • SARC (2014) Species status report on wolverine in the Northwest Territories. SARC - R243 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • Mulders R (1999) Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) - Wolverine. CAFF - in preparation Draft - Ed. A. Gunn R. Mulders office; copy in database references - R125 Return
  • Krebs, J, Lofroth, E., Copeland, J., Banci, V., Cooley, H., Magouin, A. Mulders, R. and Shults, B. (2004) Synthesis of survival rates and causes of mortality in North American wolverines. J. of Wildl. Manag. 68(3): 493-502 - A117 Return
  • Mulders, R (2006) RE: Final status rank for Wolverine. E-mail to S Carriere on 31-03-06 e-copy in folder and print in binder - H118_2006 Return
  • Thiesenhausen, K (2006) Attachment in e-mail RE: Review of final status ranks for terrestrial mammals - April 10th for wolverine dated 07-04-06. printed in binder - H192 Return
  • Lambert, C (2006) E-mail sent to S Carriere titled RE: Wolverine: Review of status ranks for terrestrial mammals on 20/01/2006. e-copy in folder and print in binder - H193 Return

Longevity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Krebs, J, Lofroth, E., Copeland, J., Banci, V., Cooley, H., Magouin, A. Mulders, R. and Shults, B. (2004) Synthesis of survival rates and causes of mortality in North American wolverines. J. of Wildl. Manag. 68(3): 493-502 - A117 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
,
COSEWIC (2003) Update COSEWIC Status Report on Wolverine. Draft written by B. G. Slough Copy on RWED library - R143 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • SARC (2014) Species status report on wolverine in the Northwest Territories. SARC - R243 Return

NWT SARC Assessment

  • SARC (2014) Species Status Report for Wolverine (Gulo gulo) in the Northwest Territories. Species at Risk Committee, Yellowknife, NT.. http://www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca/sites/default/files/wolverine_status_report_and_assessment_final_dec_2014_v2.pdf - R2017007 Return

Population Size

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
,
Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
,
SARC (2014) Species status report on wolverine in the Northwest Territories. SARC - R243 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • SARC (2014) Species status report on wolverine in the Northwest Territories. SARC - R243 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • Mulders R (1999) Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) - Wolverine. CAFF - in preparation Draft - Ed. A. Gunn R. Mulders office; copy in database references - R125 Return
  • SARC (2014) Species status report on wolverine in the Northwest Territories. SARC - R243 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Dauphiné C (1989) Updated and status report on the wolverine Gulo gulo in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R016 Return
  • Mulders R (1999) Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) - Wolverine. CAFF - in preparation Draft - Ed. A. Gunn R. Mulders office; copy in database references - R125 Return
  • Krebs, J, Lofroth, E., Copeland, J., Banci, V., Cooley, H., Magouin, A. Mulders, R. and Shults, B. (2004) Synthesis of survival rates and causes of mortality in North American wolverines. J. of Wildl. Manag. 68(3): 493-502 - A117 Return
  • Mulders, R (2006) RE: Final status rank for Wolverine. E-mail to S Carriere on 31-03-06 e-copy in folder and print in binder - H118_2006 Return
  • Thiesenhausen, K (2006) Attachment in e-mail RE: Review of final status ranks for terrestrial mammals - April 10th for wolverine dated 07-04-06. printed in binder - H192 Return
  • Lambert, C (2006) E-mail sent to S Carriere titled RE: Wolverine: Review of status ranks for terrestrial mammals on 20/01/2006. e-copy in folder and print in binder - H193 Return