After many years of absence, there is growing optimism that the wolverine could be staging a comeback in Labrador. Considered endangered in eastern Canada, the wolverine has not been seen in Labrador since the 1960s. Recently, tracks believed to be from a wolverine were sighted near Nain, sparking excitement about the potential return of this elusive creature to the region.
Shelley Moores, the Wildlife Division director in the Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, mentioned that recent wolverine sightings have been of great interest to their team. Some staff members even observed one during a caribou survey in western Labrador last winter and captured images from the survey that will be shared with the public in the future.
Although a wolverine survey in northern and central Labrador in the early 2000s did not yield any sightings, Moores acknowledged that recent tracks near Nain are promising. She hopes for more images and encourages the public to report any sightings to her department.
Deputy Minister of Land and Natural Resources for Nunatsiavut Government, Jim Goudie, expressed cautious optimism about the recent tracks near Nain possibly indicating the return of wolverines to the area. He emphasized the need for further analysis to confirm if the tracks indeed belong to a wolverine and expressed a desire for the animal to reclaim its traditional habitat.
While official wolverine sightings have been scarce for decades, Goudie noted receiving two to three incidental reports annually, with recent sightings across central, west, and northern Labrador. He highlighted the extensive migration patterns of wolverines, suggesting that multiple sightings might be attributed to a single wolverine.
In conclusion, the potential resurgence of wolverines in Labrador is an encouraging development, signaling a positive environmental shift. The return of this iconic species would not only be significant for the ecosystem but also serve as a testament to the region’s natural healing processes.