Wolverine Conservation Plan Available for Public Comment

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has released a draft Wolverine Conservation Plan for a 21-day public review and comment period. The wolverine is an icon of Idaho's high country and one of the Gem State's rarest mammals. About the size of a small bear cub, wolverines are members of the weasel family, which also includes mink, otter, and marten. In the southern extent of their North American range, wolverines occupy high-elevation alpine and subalpine habitats where cold, snowy conditions exist for much of the year. The proposed plan is available to the public for comment on the Fish and Game wolverine conservation plan webpage, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/wolverine-conservation-plan. Comments may also be mailed to: Wolverine Plan Comments, c/o Idaho Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. The public comment period ends June 9. The plan was developed to proactively lead state efforts to conserve and protect wolverine populations and the habitats they rely on to ensure their long-term viability in Idaho. The plan includes statewide wolverine status and distribution, factors affecting population and habitat, priority areas for conservation, and supporting actions to benefit wolverines in Idaho. Importantly, the plan highlights opportunities for communication and collaboration among resource managers, conservationists, and the various constituencies important to wolverine conservation in Idaho. Fish and Game also will host a live, online chat from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. MDT, and 1:00-3:00 p.m. PDT, June 3, to discuss and answer questions about the plan or wolverines in general. The draft plan will be considered for adoption by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission at the July 10 meeting in Salmon.