Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation, small population size and low genetic diversity, harvesting, illegal poaching, and reductions in wolverines’ prey base all contribute to overall global declines in wolverine populations. In Canada, for example, habitat loss to urban/suburban development, agriculture, and non-renewable natural resource developments has the potential to adversely affect wolverine populations in the future4

. In Europe, habitat I

fragmentation is a serious issue, and has led to wolverine populations being confined to discrete areas insufficiently large to support viable populations2

. Habitat fragmentation and

human land use expansion into the wolverines’ range have also increased the frequency of contact and conflict with humans, especially in Fennoscandia. Such conflict lowers tolerance levels and reduces local public support for the conservation of wolverines across their range3

. While in Sweden and Finland

almost no untended sheep grazing occurs in wolverine areas, the Norwegian practice is to leave sheep unattended on mountain pastures during summer2

. Higher stock numbers II

and the loss of herding and livestock guarding traditions have increased the potential for conflict with wolverines2

.

Wolverines preying on semi-domesticated reindeer is well- documented in all Nordic countries2

. Wolverine depredation

on wild ungulates is another source of conflict with humans, as it can result in less game and hunting opportunities as well as reduced income for land-owners3

.

. In North America, the wolverine’s range does not greatly overlap with that of domestic sheep, and so wolverines are not directly targeted for predator control4

.

. In Russia, poaching of wild ungulates combined with a reduction in the domestic reindeer herding industry

Incidents of wolverine poaching occur in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, although the actual extent of poaching is unknown2

48 PROTECTING ARCTIC BIODIVERSITY

In an effort to control livestock losses, the Norwegian government sets annual harvest quotas and practices lethal control by taking young pups out of dens. However, it is questioned whether these measures are sustainable and whether these control measures reduce livestock losses to predators1

Compensation for sheep losses in Norway Thousands

60

40

20 0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Compensation for sheep suspected of being killed by carnivores

Wolverine

Total number of claims from farmers for sheep losses from protected carnivores Lynx

Bear Wolf

Golden Eagle Not specified

Source: Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management, 2010.