Documents reveal Idaho wolverine killed by illegal trap

The Center for Biological Diversity obtained documents through a public-records request that reported the snare that killed an adult female wolverine in Idaho’s Beaverhead Mountains last month did not have a stop, a mechanism required under state law that could have prevented the wolverine’s death.

Based on this information, the Center sent a letter to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to prosecute the trapper and limit trapping in Idaho.

“The death of this female wolverine was entirely preventable,” said Andrea Santarsiere, a senior attorney at the Center. “Rather than inform the public of this trapping violation, the Department of Fish and Game tried to bury it. Our state wildlife officials have to enforce their own trapping regulations and stop the needless killings of rare animals.”

The Fourth of July Creek drainage in the Beaverhead Mountains, where this wolverine was killed, is considered prime wolverine habitat. IDFG has confirmed wolverine use of the area during the past eight years, and the agency has documented a wolverine maternal den in the area.

“The death of even one wolverine is significant when dealing with such a small population,” said Santarsiere.

Scientists believe fewer than 300 wolverines remain.