Over the centuries, wolverines have developed quite a reputation. Nineteenth century naturalists used terms like "blood-thirsty monster of the forest" and "woods devil" to describe them.

First Nation shamans would turn to the wolverine as a spirit helper because of the animal's strength and determination, but they have also been viewed as relentless enemies that break into cabins and destroy caches.

Even the wolverine's scientific name is less than complimentary, as Gulo gulo means glutton in Latin.

Some people call wolverines skunk bears, both because of the pale yellow stripes along their flanks and their habit of marking their food and other landmarks with a musky scent.

In biological terms, wolverines are the largest members of the weasel family living on land, and they are now commanding much more respect from those who know their true place in nature. In fact, many biologists consider them to be one of the best indicators around of intact wilderness.

According to COSEWIC, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, they are also a species that deserves extra attention. This independent organization of wildlife experts tracks the status of species considered to be at risk of extinction.

In April, 2003, COSEWIC held its annual meeting in Whitehorse, and reviewed the status of wolverines and more than 30 other Canadian species. Whitehorse biologist Brian Slough prepared the COSEWIC status report on wolverines, which was used to determine the level of risk of extinction to the species.

Based on this information, COSEWIC decided not to change the wolverine's rankings, last determined 14 years ago. The eastern population is still listed as endangered, while the western population is described as being of special concern, meaning that they are sensitive to human activities or natural events.

Slough says that there are concerns that wolverines have already disappeared from Quebec and Labrador, as well as Vancouver Island. However biologists continue to hope that some wolverines might still be surviving in these areas.

Populations of wolverines in the Yukon and other parts of the North are considered to be healthy, and it is estimated that there are between 3,500 and 4,000 of them in the territory.

Slough says it is hard to say exactly why wolverines have declined in some areas, but says this species needs lots of wilderness to survive. "I think that wolverines are an indicator of intact ecosystems and ecosystem health," says Slough. "I think they are even a better indicator than grizzly bears because they rely on other large carnivores, like wolves and bears, to provide carrion."

Grizzly bears are often referred to as an umbrella species, a carnivore at the top of the food chain which reflects the health of the whole ecosystem. Keep enough habitat intact for grizzlies, goes the theory, and animals lower down the food chain should also fare well.

But grizzlies are omnivores, and some survive primarily on berries and other plants, while wolverines prefer a diet of meat.

"They have a unique place in nature; they are both predators and scavengers. They will eat almost anything; birds, squirrels, small mammals. They can even kill a small caribou or Dall sheep under the right conditions," says Slough.

In winter, they usually survive on carrion, particularly the carcasses of moose and caribou, and biologists speculate that they might have declined in some parts of their range because of declines in caribou herds.

Wolverines are vulnerable for many of the same reasons as grizzlies; they occur in low densities, have small litters and do not breed every year. They are also sensitive to disturbances in their surrounding environments.

Loss of habitat is not the only threat for wolverines. "Even recreational activities such as snowmobiling and skiing in denning areas can disturb them and lead them to abandon their kits," says Slough.

Wolverines cover huge amounts of ground in their constant search for food, and adult males can have home ranges larger than 1,000 square kilometres, similar to that of a grizzly bear. Females range over smaller areas, down to 100 square kilometres for females with young.

All this travelling makes wolverines notoriously hard to spot, and one can live in the Yukon for a long time without ever laying eyes on one of the stocky predators. But Slough says he has seen plenty of wolverine tracks, and wolverines, in the North.

"I see tracks on the Mt. McIntyre ski trails almost every winter," he says. He has also spotted them on the Juneau icecap, where they travel between rocky outcrops to hunt, and in alpine areas where they are easier to see.

Wolverines are one of the least studied carnivores in North America because of their elusive ways, and much of the current information on them comes from trapping records. Wolverines are highly prized for their fur as their guard hairs are resistant to frost and are often used to trim parkas.

This past winter Slough helped search for wolverine tracks in the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Park as part of a study for Parks Canada. He figures at least three or four wolverines use the park at least part of the time.

If you want to study more than wolverine tracks, the costs quickly pile up. "They are expensive to study using techniques such as live-trapping, radio-collaring and radio relocation from the air," says Slough.

Brian Slough can be contacted at 668-3295 or bslough@yknet.yk.ca. For more information on COSEWIC, check their website at www.cosewic.gc.ca.