Trapping records and historical accounts indicate that wolverines once occurred throughout Labrador. However, beginning in the mid-19th century, they became scarce: the last confirmed record of Labrador wolverine was in 1955 and wolverine are now considered critically endangered in this region. Although no wolverines have been trapped since the 1950s, there have been over 40 reported wolverine sightings during recent years, the majority by members of northern Inuit communities. Many of these sightings are in northern Labrador, a remote subarctic area containing extensive habitat known from studies elsewhere to be suitable for both foraging and denning wolverines.
These sightings combined with the availability of habitat and rebounding caribou prey populations suggest the continued existence of wolverines in northern Labrador. However, without concrete evidence of wolverine presence, the continued uncertainty about their status will constrain any provincial recovery efforts, including possible reintroduction programs.
In an extension of wolverine research activities in Ontario, in which WCS Canada has played a key role (see next page), both Labrador and Québec members of the Eastern Wolverine Recovery Team expressed considerable interest in implementing similar survey techniques in their jurisdictions. The Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Department and the Labrador Inuit Association undertook the first aerial surveys in northern Labrador in March 2005. WCS Canada was enlisted as a partner, providing assistance on the planning and implementation of the aerial surveys.
No sightings of wolverine tracks or individual animals were made despite the fact that tracks of animals of similar or smaller size were observed throughout the study area. These results strongly suggest that there is no resident population in central or northern Labrador, and that any sightings represent extra-limital occurrences of individual animals from elsewhere. Results will be considered in light of indigenous knowledge, historical harvest information and incidental sightings to estimate the recovery potential for wolverines in Labrador and to guide regional and national recovery initiatives for the eastern population of the wolverine in Canada.
Supported by WCS Canada:
Partners: