Skip to main content

You make this possible. Support our independent, nonprofit newsroom today.

Give Now

Wolverines are back in Washington ... but are they here to stay?

caption: Shy but tenacious, wolverines have worked their way down from British Columbia and returned to Mt Rainier after a century's absence.
Enlarge Icon
Shy but tenacious, wolverines have worked their way down from British Columbia and returned to Mt Rainier after a century's absence.

Mount Rainier is not usually a winter trip. It’s common for over 60 feet of snow to fall on the mountain each winter. With that snow comes the threat of avalanches, hard to predict weather patterns, and of course, just some really cold and uncomfortable days.

But not for a wolverine. They need that snowy, cold weather, as well as a place that’s not jam packed with humans. And for the first time in over a century, they’re back.

In summer of 2020, reports began of a mother and kits (baby wolverines) in Mount Rainier National Park.

But are they here to stay?

That’s the question The Wild with Chris Morgan is trying to answer in their newest episode, released today.

Morgan sat down with Soundside guest host Zaki Hamid to talk about why it's so exciting wolverines are back in Washington state. Hear their full conversation by clicking the audio above.

We also hear a portion of The Wild's newest episode. You can find the full length story here.

Why you can trust KUOW