Weasel, in context of slang, makes one think of a person who is distrustful, cowardly, sometimes creepy, that weasel of a guy or girl who ‘weasels out’ of responsibility. From what I learned on August 7, however, that perception is completely off base, at least in regard to the real weasel, especially the wolverine. If threatened, the wolverine will fight off bears, wolves, no matter the size or number, almost always claiming victory.
As part of this summer’s Sagehen Creek Field Station Speaker Series, Oregon State University graduate student Katie Moriarty presented many interesting facts about the wolverine, although her primary focus centers on the American marten – Martes Americana – alongside the fisher and Sierra Nevada red fox. But when a wolverine, last seen in California in 1922, was spotted on one of her surveillance cameras on March 16, 2008 in the Sagehen Creek area, her focus turned away from the marten toward the surprising photo. At that time, Moriarty gained instant celebrity status and was immediately joined by agencies such as the Forest Service and Department of Fish and Game in partnering on her research. Other pictures have been recorded since the first photograph, but the mysterious wanderer continues to elude his human spectator.
How did the wolverine survive and enter into California, a state that had crossed it off its list? First, Moriarty explained, the wolverine is very strong and tenacious in fighting off predators (as shown above). It is also known for walking long distances in one day and has an aptitude for walking in a straight line, not diverted by anything in its path: a cliff, a river, a dense forest. A group of scientists speculates that this wandering wolverine stems from the Cascades, Sawtooths, or the Rocky Mountains and soon the location will be announced. Until the conclusive evidence is published, however, the ones in the know (like Moriarty) aren’t able to disclose the conclusions.
To understand how the wolverine and other animals are studied, Moriarty presented a series of research methods. The first method involves aerial studies, capturing animals with aerial photographs. Another means includes placing digital cameras next to tempting bait, such as bear carcasses. Sensitive to movement and heat, the camera captures animals eating their free meal. An additional tool is hair snares, posts with wire that catches chunks of animal fur as animals climb the post. Another method, trap boxes, record animals’ paw prints with ‘footprint paper.’ There are also scat dogs who are extremely keen at locating scat samples (I learned they must be ball obsessive as enticement to reap their reward of chasing balls). The last method Moriarty mentioned is a group of people walking next to one another in a straight line, transecting an area as they walk forward, recording data. In addition to learning how the pros research animals, Moriarty shared some methods for novice animal trackers. In other words, if the elusive wolverine appears in our area again even we neophytes can document its presence.
First and foremost, the best way to record an animal is to take its picture. Whether from a professional, simple, or cell phone camera, a picture truly is worth a thousand words. Next, write down the time of day the animal is spotted and describe the area: dense forest, open field or boulder outcropping. To describe its size, compare it to that of an animal you know: a cat, dog, coyote, or bear cub. Lastly, notice its color and markings. A wolverine has a white stripe down its side, which explains its nickname – skunk bear – and the Sierra Nevada red fox (which can be red or black) dons a white tip at the end of its tail.
If the animal is not seen but its prints are clear, examine the paw prints, noting the size by laying an item next to them-a pen, compass, or shoe. Then count the number of toes. For example, weasels have five toes, coyotes four. Notice the gait of the prints by measuring the distance between each one, again using something you’ve brought with you to place next to the prints. Finally, if you’re getting into this kind of detective paw print work, take some plaster of Paris and make prints of the prints.
At the end of Moriarty’s talk, she discussed various government hierarchal listings. The wolverine is registered on the California Endangered Species Act and Federal Species of Special Concern. The Sierra Nevada red fox is listed as a State Threatened Species and Federal Species of Special Concern. The American marten and fisher have no federal status. Considering these categories, the most shocking part of the evening’s presentation occurred when Moriarty compared maps from the early twentieth century to maps from the beginning of the twenty-first century. Clearly, all four animals have declined in great numbers. As Moriarty explained, the loss of habitat has been a major cause of their declination.
Yet, with the appearance of the wolverine in the Sagehen Creek area, right here in our own backyard, we are given some hope, great hope. Like the sighting in 2004 of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, presumed extinct, in a swampy area in Arkansas, we delight at the fact that we really don’t know everything about the creatures in this world. To see them return into a nearby forest or swampy corridor, well, we are hopeful again.
