The wolverine, facing extinction due to trapping in its mountain habitat south of the U.S.-Canada border, is set to be added to the protection of the American government. Announced last week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the animal will join the endangered species list for protection. Climate change along with trapping are what’s causing concern. According to the David Suzuki Foundation their habitat has been degraded due to industrialization and a fragmented ecosystem.

Even the Canadian National Trappers Alliance, an umbrella group that represents pelt harvesters across the country, acknowledges on its website that “the future of the wolverine in Canada is of international importance” and that “the species’ long-term survival in the western United States is dependent upon maintaining continuity with wolverines in British Columbia and Alberta.” According to Stephen Haprper, the wolverine is a sentimental Candian animal, which is considered to be a resourceful, powerful, fiercely territorial member of the weasel family. Hopefully with the protections put into place, we can maintain a healthy wolverine population.

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