Wolverine Tracking project
more about our target species and the project
The Wolverine Tracking Project is a volunteer-powered, community science project collecting data on rare carnivores and other wildlife in Mt Hood National Forest
The Wolverine Tracking Project collects data on four species of special concern in Oregon - wolverine, Sierra Nevada red fox, gray wolf, and Pacific marten. These target species are listed as Oregon Conservation Strategy Species, which are Oregon’s species of greatest conservation need.
The data we collect supports the data gaps identified by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for each species. Having accurate data is crucial first step to understanding their needs. By collecting this data and making it available to those who need it, we improve the knowledge-base that management decisions are made upon, which in turn improves the chances that viable populations of these rare animals, and the ecosystems they depend on, can be maintained.
All data collected by the Wolverine Tracking Project are shared with the Mt Hood National Forest Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service PNW Research Lab, Cascades Carnivore Project, and Defenders of Wildlife.
The data we collect supports the data gaps identified by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for each species. Having accurate data is crucial first step to understanding their needs. By collecting this data and making it available to those who need it, we improve the knowledge-base that management decisions are made upon, which in turn improves the chances that viable populations of these rare animals, and the ecosystems they depend on, can be maintained.
All data collected by the Wolverine Tracking Project are shared with the Mt Hood National Forest Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service PNW Research Lab, Cascades Carnivore Project, and Defenders of Wildlife.
Wolverine tracking project TARGET SPECIES
This wolverine, killed in 1990 while crossing I84, was the last wolverine seen on the Mt Hood National Forest. He now resides with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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Wolverine
Gulo gulo, Family Mustelidae Wolverines have been making a slow comeback to the southern reaches of their original range. Once an important part of this ecosystem, they were restricted in the PNW to a small area in northern Washington for many decades. In the last fifteen years, however, they have been making a comeback. Breeding individuals were documented in Mt Ranier in 2018, and lone animals have been detected in Mt Adams, the Wallowas, and most recently, in the Willamette Valley! Given appropriate conditions, wolverines can travel up to 100 miles per day in search of an alpine home that can support them, and so it seems inevitable that they may once again call our mountain home. However, climate change makes the wolverine's future here uncertain: in addition to needing a large territory and ample food, a wolverine requires deep snowpack for denning and caching food.
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Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes necator, Family Canidae The Sierra Nevada is a rare subspecies of red fox found only in the high mountains of the Oregon Cascades and California Sierra Nevadas. In Oregon, this fox has only been found over 4,000 feet, and very little is known about them. In fact, their presence here was first confirmed in Mt Hod in 2012 by a wildlife camera with the Wolverine Tracking Project!
They are one of only three montane red foxes native to our region; the Cascades red fox is found in the Cascades north of the Columbia River, and the Rocky Mountain red fox is found throughout the Rockies, including in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, and was recently confirmed in central Oregon. |
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Their presence here dates back to before the last Ice Age, when these foxes crossed into North America via the ice bridge from Asia. As the ice retreated, these and the other montane subspecies retreated up to the higher elevations of their current range. This history means they have been separated from lower-elevation subspecies for millions of years, long enough to develop distinct physiological differences and be uniquely adapted to cold environments.
The Sierra Nevada red fox is currently being petitioned to be listed under the Endangered Species Act, which will provide special protections. A previous petition in 2016 was denied due to lack of information, in particular questions were raised about whether the full extent of their population was documented, and their continued uniqueness as a subspecies in the face of potential interbreeding with lower elevation red foxes, who are a mix of native ancestry and populations brought over from the eastern United States and from Europe. This survey hopes to bridge some of these knowledge gaps.
The Sierra Nevada red fox is currently being petitioned to be listed under the Endangered Species Act, which will provide special protections. A previous petition in 2016 was denied due to lack of information, in particular questions were raised about whether the full extent of their population was documented, and their continued uniqueness as a subspecies in the face of potential interbreeding with lower elevation red foxes, who are a mix of native ancestry and populations brought over from the eastern United States and from Europe. This survey hopes to bridge some of these knowledge gaps.
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Gray Wolf
Canis lupus, Family Canidae Gray wolves, also once native but long extirpated from the Mt Hood area, have now re-established themselves on and near Mt Hood National Forest. In 2018, one of our wildlife cameras recorded one of the first documented instances of their return (picture, right). Their presence can cause a cascade of changes throughout an ecosystem, and we are monitoring them as they settle back in this area to determine the areas they are using, their population size and habitat preferences, and to track any changes to the ecosystems they are now calling home.
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Pacific Marten
Martes caurina caurina, Family Mustelidae Our fourth target species, Pacific marten, is an indicator of healthy old-growth, upper-elevation forests. Previous surveys have consistently documented their presence where there is suitable habitat. We would like to continue to monitor these areas to see if we note any anecdotal changes to their population that would need follow up. Marten need areas with continuous forest canopy, lots of large dead trees with cavities for nesting, and large down logs for hunting. These features are getting scarcer across the landscape.
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get involved
Did we mention that this is a volunteer-supported community science project?
Cascadia Wild's ultimate vision is for people and communities everywhere to recognize their role in the cycle of life and act with care for the natural world. This project not only collects important data, but offers an opportunity for people to become involved with the natural world!
Cascadia Wild's ultimate vision is for people and communities everywhere to recognize their role in the cycle of life and act with care for the natural world. This project not only collects important data, but offers an opportunity for people to become involved with the natural world!
