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attracted to carcasses and can be aggressive in defending these carcasses from intruders (such as
citizen scientists!). Additionally, dead animals can be vectors of human disease.
Camera traps on a carcass can be created where the carcass is found or the carcass can be relocated
to a spot more conducive to the trap. Road killed deer could be dragged off of the road to a more
secluded location where detection by humans will be less likely. Carcasses found far from cover and
trees can be dragged to a spot where a camera can be attached to a nearby tree (conversely, a
structure such as a log can be dragged to the carcass location to attach a camera to). Dragging the
carcass to a new location will create a sent trail which a wolverine can follow to find the carcass.
When setting a camera trap on a carcass, be sure to set the camera far enough away to capture the
entire carcass and the area around it to increase the likelihood of capturing a wolverine that
approaches but doesn't feed on the carcass. Conversely, carefully test the camera to be sure that it is
close enough to the carcass so that movement on the carcass triggers the camera. If there is one
most likely approach route to the carcass, setting the camera to both view the carcass and the
approach route can increase the chances of catching animals that approach but don't come all the
way to the carcass. Carnivores will often move and reposition a carcass in the course of feeding on
it. A piece of cord can be used to secure a carcass to a tree or other stationary feature to keep the
carcass in view.
Figure 5. Remote camera trap set on a found carcass, set to view carcass on possible aproach routes to carcass. Illustration
by Jenn Wolfe.
