populations in Canada and the US. These results in the Highway 2 corridor contribute to the story
researchers are telling of a recovering wolverine population in Washington's Cascade mountains with an
expanding range.
We did not document wolverine at our station in the southern Alpine Lakes Wilderness, but all four of
our wolverine sites recorded the presence of American marten (a level 2 species). This is not surprising
given that our wolverine sites are located in quality American marten habitat. The presence of American
marten in these areas may prove useful to the Cascades Carnivore Connectivity Project, which is
studying the barrier effects of highways in genetic diversity among populations of black bears and
martens.
Chiwaukum and Grindstone Mtn. recorded level 3 species including black bear, coyote, and marmot.
Mountain marmot is a prey species of wolverine, and therefore is worthy of mention regarding these
sites.
Our one wolf monitoring site in the Colockum area recorded a level 2 cougar and all of our level 3
species. With the Teanaway pack nearby and the presence of ungulates in this area, continued
monitoring of this area may prove beneficial if the Teanaway pack continues to grow and members
disperse to form new territories. Cows were also recorded at the Colockum site and are only mentioned
because of the potential for wolf-livestock interactions.
Site
Bootjack Mtn
Chiwaukum
Target
Species
Wolverine
Wolverine
Wolf
Wolverine
Fisher
Lynx
Grizzly Bear
x
x
Table 5. Central Cascades Sites with Recorded Level 1 Species
Site
Bootjack Mtn
Chiwaukum
Colockum
Grindstone
Mtn
Snow Lake
Target
Species
Wolverine
Wolverine
Wolf
Wolverine
Cougar
Marten
Mountain
Goat
Red Fox
Moose
x
x
x
x
Wolverine
x
x
Table 6. Central Cascades Sites with Recorded Level 2 Species
Site
Target
Species
Black
Bear
Chiwaukum
Wolverine
x
Colockum
Wolf
x
Grindstone
Mtn
Wolverine
Bobcat
Coyote
Elk
BlackTailed
Deer
x
x
Misc.
x
x
x
cow
marmot
Table 7. Central Cascades sites with recorded level 3 species
18
