Wolverine latest wildlife endangered by climate change

Climate change may spell disaster for wolverines, a reclusive resident of the mountains of the Northwest, but other wildlife species are a higher priority for government protection, officials said on Monday. Wolverines, which eat meat and range from 17 to 40 pounds, need deep snow in seclusion to reproduce and raise their young. Mother wolverines dig elaborate snow caves for dens. A study by the University of Washington and U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station predicts that a warming West will cut suitable wolverine habitat by 23 percent in 2045 and by 63 percent in 2099. "The threats to the wolverines are long-term due to the impacts of climate change on their denning habitat," Steve Guertin, regional Fish and Wildlife Service director, said in a statement. Extreme winter sports are making it even more difficult for wolverines, with snowmobilers and skiers seeking the rugged and remote terrain preferred by the people-shy animals...more