MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 10th June, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Janice Dickie (WRA Executive Director)
Liz Thunstrom (WRA Board Member and
President, Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC)
Tel: 604.526.2747
Tel: 604.526.7275
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Sad conclusion to Wolverine's journey
The long journey of a young male wolverine that was successfully rehabilitated at the WRA Wildlife Rescue Association of BC in November 2003 came to a sad conclusion in early June 2004.
The wolverine had been successfully released back into the wild on November 10th after several weeks recuperating from an operation in WRA's rehabilitation centre.
The wolverine, originally found hiding under a stationary car in Port Moody, had a fractured canine tooth and a contracted tendon that caused it to limp. The young male was eventually caught by three staff members from the SPCA who brought the 15.6kg (34lb) animal to the Wildlife Rescue Association on Burnaby Lake.
Ken Macquisten, attending veterinarian, and local veterinarians from the Animal Critical Care Group volunteered their services to make the operation possible and numerous individuals were involved in finding resources and assisting the WRA in its decision making.
On the day of the release, the wolverine was sedated and examined at the Wildlife Rescue Association before it was returned to the wild. Macquisten was happy to see that the leg incision site had healed perfectly. The wolverine was released north of the Coquitlam Watershed.
On June 2nd, 2003, a dead wolverine was discovered on a beach at Port Moody Inlet near Mossom Creek (just east of Ioco Townsite). The SPCA delivered the animal to Wildlife Rescue's rehabilitation centre in Burnaby where it was quickly determined that this was the same wolverine. The young male had shorter fur on the leg that had been surgically repaired and a broken tooth that revealed evidence of a former root canal.
Wildlife rehabilitators at WRA examined the wolverine and observed claw wounds on the neck and large bite marks penetrating the skull. The wounds were likely sustained in an attack by a larger predator such as a cougar.
Provincial wildlife veterinarian Helen Schwantje in Victoria is to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The wolverine had been in the water prior to its death.
Janice Dickie, WRA Executive Director, states that despite the wolverine's unfortunate end, the case is considered a success in rehabilitation terms because the wolverine survived for a whole season in the wild. "Male wolverines are top predators that face a tough life in the wild. It is not unusual for a wolverine's life to end in this way," she says. However, it was surprising that the wolverine chose to return to Port Moody after its short stay in captivity and encounters with so many humans.
The wolverine has a well-deserved reputation as a tough character. This bulky carnivore that looks like a cross between a bear and badger can bring down much larger animals such as caribou. Wolverines have also been reported to fight off wolves and mountain lions for their carrion.
The wolverine is blue listed or "vulnerable" in this province with between 2,000 and 4,000 animals. In eastern Canada it is endangered with less than 50 surviving animals.
The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, a not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation society located next to Burnaby Lake at 5216 Glencarin Drive. If you find an animal in distress or are interested in volunteering call 526-7275 or visit their website at www.wildliferescue.ca.