A RARE wolverine has been caught dashing across a field on camera in what was only the second sighting of one in the area in over 30 years.
Brandon Oswald spotted the wolverine on Monday in Barlow, Oregon, about 20 miles south of Portland, and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife confirmed the sighting.
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Oswald started to record live on his social media page when he caught a glimpse of the creature.
He wasn’t sure at first and questioned if it was a badger, but quickly realized it could be a wolverine.
“I’m pretty certain that is a huge badger,” Oswald said while recording the live video, CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland reported.
“Or is it a damn wolverine?”
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A wolverine was spotted for the first time outside of the Wallowa Mountains in over 30 years in 2023.
The 2023 wolverine spotting occurred around the same time of year in March.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife suggested it could be the same wolverine seen last year, but noted there is no way to be sure.
It also confirmed the sighting on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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“Yes, that is a wolverine seen today near Hwy 99 in Barlow!” the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife replied to a video of the wolverine sighting on X.
“It could be the same one seen along the Columbia River, in Damascus and in other parts of NW Oregon last year but there is no way to know for certain.”
Watch the 2023 wolverine sighting in the video below.
I thought I spotted a bear roaming near an Oregon river - but it's actually a rare animal that wasn't seen in 30 yearsThe recent wolverine was seen running near the Oregon 99 highway and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife explained it could have been trying to get across to look for a better habitat.
“Dispersing animals like this wolverine may pass through habitat that is not suitable (like a field next to a highway) on their way to find high-quality habitat,” the department said on X.
"Which is why maintaining natural areas and connectivity for animals to move across the landscape is so important."
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife also described the wolverine's rarity.
“Wolverine, rare and listed as threatened in Oregon, are the largest member of the weasel family,” it added.
"Last year’s sighting was the first confirmed report of a wolverine outside of the Wallowa Mountains in over 30 years."
In November 2023, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service listed the North American wolverine as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
“Current and increasing impacts of climate change and associated habitat degradation and fragmentation are imperiling the North American wolverine,” Pacific Regional Director Hugh Morrison said in a release.
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“Based on the best available science, this listing determination will help to stem the long-term impact and enhance the viability of wolverines in the contiguous United States.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for comment and updates on the wolverine.
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