The ecology of wolverines in southcentral Alaska

Abstract

A study of wolverine (Gulo gulo) ecology was conducted within the upper Susitna Basin in south central Alaska between May 1980 and April 1982. The study was initiated in an attempt to identify potential impacts of hydroelectric development on the wolverine populations. Twelve wolverines (10 males) were fitted with radio transmitters and relocated 153 times. The mean winter and summer home ranges for adult males were 353 km2 and 385 km2, respectively. Adult male home ranges were primarily mutually exclusive, having an average overlap of 4.2% between neighbors. On an annual basis, wolverines appeared to select spruce cover types; this selection was strongest during the winter. The most important foods to wolverines were carrion of ungulates (winter) and ground squirrels (summer). The wolverine population in the Susitna Basin during the study period was not heavily exploited by man and was secure.