DENS AND DRONES

Objective.

(1) Identify explicit locations used by wolverine for denning, thereby providing the specific information needed to target access management and improve habitat where it is most effective for conservation.

Background.

• Female wolverine have low reproductive rates and are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance at den sites.

• Recognizing and protecting critical denning habitat during the reproductive season is essential to species persistence on the landscape.

• We provide the information needed by governments for access management and habitat improvements where it is most effective for wolverine conservation.

• We use a combination of citizen science (e.g. your sighting reports on this website), occupancy modeling and known female locations.

• We then target specific areas where dens sites are likely.

• Those areas are searched for tracks and excavations using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone).

• Animal care protocols are being followed to ensure no disturbance to denning females.