The Province of Alberta has launched a study to get a better handle on the number of wolverines in Kananaskis Country and exactly where they live.
Park officials say little is known about the population trends of this solitary and seldom seen animal, although best estimates put their numbers at about a dozen in all of K-Country.
They also want to do their homework to evaluate the potential impacts of a proposed facility development in the lower Kananaskis on wildlife movement and habitat use.
“We really don’t know much about wolverines in Kananaskis Country or in much of Alberta,” said John Paczkowski, park ecologist for K-Country.
“We need some baseline information about the distribution and abundance of wolverines. The project will give us a snapshot in time of where the wolverines are and how many there are.”
The one-year project, which complements a similar one in neighbouring Banff National Park, began last fall. It’s also being done in conjunction with Alberta Innovates.
Conservation officers, administrative staff and a team of volunteers are helping with the project.
The long-term plan is to expand the study to include many different animals. The methodology being used has the potential to allow study of bobcats, cougars, lynx, wolves and other large carnivores.
The project area takes in 4,000-square-kilometres. It includes 27 grids of 12 by 12 kms, which basically reflects the size of a female wolverines’ home range.
In each grid is a sample station baited with a beaver carcass and strong scent lure to attract wolverines.
Paczkowski said the beaver carcass hangs in the tree, which is surrounded by barbed wire in the hopes a wolverine leaves a hair sample for DNA testing.
There are also remote motion-sensored cameras at the sites.
“Ideally, the wolverines will go up to retrieve the bait and so leave a hair sample, and from that, we can extract DNA and identify individuals of the population,” he said.
So far, four wolverines have been detected at four of the 27 sites, including Highwood Pass, Mist Creek, Hidden Lake and Headwall Creek.
According to the Alberta government’s website, wolverine numbers may be declining in the province as a result of human disturbance and habitat fragmentation.
Prior to the turn of the century, wolverines were found throughout the province. However, fur records from 1970 to 1995 show that the present range extends north of a line between Cold Lake and Edson, and along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Most wolverines have been harvested from the northern quarter of the province and along the foothills in areas outside of Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes national parks, where trapping is prohibited.
In general, the current range of wolverines in Alberta corresponds with areas that have relatively low levels of human development.
The largest member of the weasel family, the wolverine reaches four feet in length and may weigh up to 16 kilograms. The bulk of its diet consists of mice, squirrels, grouse and marmots and may also include larger animals.
Following a detailed status assessment more than a decade ago, Alberta’s Endangered Species Conservation Committee identified the wolverine as Data Deficient in 2001.
Melanie Percy, senior park ecologist for Kananaskis, said the wolverine is an important part of the ecosystem, so any additional information is important.
“It’s our responsibility to protect the long-term health of the wolverine population,” she said.
The study area also takes in Lower Kananaskis Country – the site of major development proposals including more than 230 additional campsites along the lower Kananaskis River.
Facilities would be expanded at Canoe Meadows, Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre, Barrier Dam and Widowmaker. There is also a proposal for an 18-hole disc golf course adjacent to the dam.
Percy said any data collected as part of this wolverine project will form part of the environmental reviews for the proposed developments.
“We are gathering evidence to better make our decisions regarding development and human use of the parks,” she said.
