An Estimate of Wolverine Density for the Canadian Province of Alberta

A first provincial-scale estimate suggests Alberta's wolverine population stands at just 955 individuals, with only 544 adults—a figure well below IUCN thresholds for legally listed species. The study, synthesizing existing density data and habitat relationships across five landscapes (including protected Rocky Mountain Parks), found densities ranging from 0.71 to 6.74 wolverines per 1,000 km², with boreal regions supporting the highest concentrations. Using spatially explicit capture-recapture models, researchers extrapolated these estimates across bioclimatic ecoregions, highlighting a critical need for status reassessment and conservation action. The findings underscore the species' precarious position in Alberta, where it has been designated Data Deficient since 2001.

Fisher, J. T., Jahid, M., Gutsell, R., Hubbs, A., Cowen, L. L. E., Barrueto, M., Heim, N., & Paczkowski, J. (2024). An Estimate of Wolverine Density for the Canadian Province of Alberta. Ecology and Evolution, 15(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70702