For many years, the wolverine was absent from Labrador’s wilderness, classified as endangered in eastern Canada with the last confirmed sighting in the 1960s. Recently, tracks resembling wolverine prints were discovered near Nain, sparking hope for the animal’s return to the region.
Shelley Moores, the Director of the Wildlife Division within the Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, expressed interest in these sightings, mentioning a staff encounter with a wolverine during caribou surveys in western Labrador last winter. Images from this sighting will be shared with the public in the future.
Despite a wolverine survey in the early 2000s yielding no results in northern and central Labrador, Moores remains optimistic about the recent tracks near Nain, suggesting they may indicate the presence of more than one wolverine in the area.
Jim Goudie, the Deputy Minister of Land and Natural Resources for the Nunatsiavut Government, cautiously welcomed the recent findings near Nain, awaiting analysis to confirm if they are indeed wolverine tracks. He expressed a desire for the wolverine to return to its traditional habitat, seeing it as a positive environmental indicator.
While official wolverine sightings have been scarce, Goudie mentioned receiving incidental reports annually, including one from the Postville area three years ago. He highlighted additional sightings across central, west, and northern Labrador, hinting at a promising outlook despite the vast migratory range of wolverines.
Goudie emphasized that while the recent sightings are encouraging, it is essential to consider the extensive migration patterns of wolverines, suggesting that multiple sightings could potentially be attributed to a single animal.
The possible return of the wolverine in Labrador has generated excitement and interest, with ongoing monitoring and public engagement encouraged by wildlife officials.
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