What
Species:
Species Identification Confidence:
I'm absolutely certain
Observation Method(s):
Individual(s) Observed (seen)
Observed Individual(s) in Hand or Close Range
Heard Vocalizations
Nest, Den, Burrow or Habitation Observed
Scat Observed
Tracks Observed
Sample Collected
Supporting Evidence
Count:
3
Count Type:
Absolute
Sex:
Unknown
Life State:
Alive
Life Stage:
Unknown
Species Account:
I was sitting at Betty Lake below Mount Stanhope. I observed 3 wolverines crossing the large snowfield across the lake. All three animals were about the same size, but I imagine it was a mother and two large cubs. They crossed the snowfield, and then went into a large talus pile near the edge of the lake. I approached the the talus pile 10-15 minutes later within about 50 feet and the mother (presumably) peaked around a boulder for about one second and then went back into the den. I could also hear vocalizations from the den.
I am a wildlife geneticist from Utah State University, with a background in noninvasive genetics, so I back-tracked the animals path and found and collected three scats. I extracted DNA from all three scats in my lab, and sequence verified one of them to make sure it was in fact wolverine (although I was already quite certain because the scats were right in their tracks.
I am a wildlife geneticist from Utah State University, with a background in noninvasive genetics, so I back-tracked the animals path and found and collected three scats. I extracted DNA from all three scats in my lab, and sequence verified one of them to make sure it was in fact wolverine (although I was already quite certain because the scats were right in their tracks.
Where
Location:
Decimal Degrees: 43.7,-114.0
Location Precision:
±10 meters
Location Resource:
Transformed Location
Location Use:
Unknown
Habitat Description:
Crossed a large snowfield and went into a den in a large talus boulder field
Region:
Game Management Unit:
County:
When
Date Time:
July 17, 2017, 1:00 pm MDT
Date/Time Precision:
Hour
Who
& How
Identification Tools:
Extracted DNA from scats and sequenced a 126 base pair 'mimi-barcode' fragment of the of the mitochondrial gene ATP6 (as in Chaves et al. 2012).
Survey Method:
visual, tracks can scat
Location Unresolveable:
No
Source Type:
Animal Observation Report (Sightings)
Verification Status:
Verified