After years of absence, signs suggest the wolverine may be returning to Labrador, sparking hope for its official comeback. The wolverine, endangered in eastern Canada, has not been sighted in Labrador since the 1960s. Recent tracks near Nain have raised excitement about a possible return of this elusive creature to the region.
Shelley Moores, the Wildlife Division director in the Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, mentioned recent sightings being collected, including one spotted by staff during caribou surveys in western Labrador last winter. Images captured during the survey will be shared with the public in the future. Despite a wolverine survey in the early 2000s yielding no sightings, Moores sees the recent tracks near Nain as a positive sign, suggesting the possibility of more than one wolverine in the area.
Jim Goudie, deputy minister of Land and Natural Resources for the Nunatsiavut Government, cautiously welcomes the recent tracks near Nain but awaits analysis to confirm if they are indeed from a wolverine. Goudie expressed his desire for the wolverine to return to its traditional habitat as a sign of environmental healing.
Although official wolverine sightings have been absent for decades, Goudie mentioned receiving incidental reports annually, with scattered sightings reported across central, west, and northern Labrador. He emphasized the significant migration pattern of wolverines, suggesting that multiple sightings could be attributed to a single animal.
The potential return of the wolverine in Labrador has generated interest and hope among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists. Stay updated on this developing story for further information.