Bear 1, wolverine 0
Casper Star Tribune
Tuesday, May 06, 2003
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (AP) -- Wildlife researchers say they have documented the first known killing of a wolverine by a black bear in Yellowstone National Park.
The wolverine apparently had attempted to drag the carcass of an elk away from the bear.
The wolverine's body was found last week by Kristine and Bob Inman, who were tracking it as part of a study by the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society.
The wolverine's radio collar began emitting a "mortality signal," indicating it had not moved in several hours.
The couple later found the carcass, showing clear evidence it had been killed by a bear. Nearby, they discovered the carcass of an elk, along with signs that the wolverine had attempted to drag it away from the bear.
"This incident, where a wolverine decided to battle it out head-on with another carnivore 10 times his size, substantiates the species' ferocious and intrepid reputation," Kristine Inman said in a release.
The wolverine was one of several that researchers have been tracking in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for the past two winters.
Wolverines are the largest of the land dwelling weasle family, accoriding to the Wolverine Foundation. They are currently on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list for consideration as a threatened or endangered species. The studies being conducted aim to provide information relevant to that listing.
Last month, a separate team of conservation society researchers discovered another oddity: a mountain lion they were tracking in Yellowstone had been attacked and killed by a pack of wolves.
Casper Star Tribune
Tuesday, May 06, 2003
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (AP) -- Wildlife researchers say they have documented the first known killing of a wolverine by a black bear in Yellowstone National Park.
The wolverine apparently had attempted to drag the carcass of an elk away from the bear.
The wolverine's body was found last week by Kristine and Bob Inman, who were tracking it as part of a study by the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society.
The wolverine's radio collar began emitting a "mortality signal," indicating it had not moved in several hours.
The couple later found the carcass, showing clear evidence it had been killed by a bear. Nearby, they discovered the carcass of an elk, along with signs that the wolverine had attempted to drag it away from the bear.
"This incident, where a wolverine decided to battle it out head-on with another carnivore 10 times his size, substantiates the species' ferocious and intrepid reputation," Kristine Inman said in a release.
The wolverine was one of several that researchers have been tracking in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for the past two winters.
Wolverines are the largest of the land dwelling weasle family, accoriding to the Wolverine Foundation. They are currently on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list for consideration as a threatened or endangered species. The studies being conducted aim to provide information relevant to that listing.
Last month, a separate team of conservation society researchers discovered another oddity: a mountain lion they were tracking in Yellowstone had been attacked and killed by a pack of wolves.
