Meet the wolverine – a tenacious predator that can roam up to 500 square miles of rugged alpine terrain, larger than many national parks. Built for deep snow and high peaks, this fearless scavenger plays a critical role in mountain ecosystems by breaking down carcasses, which helps prevent the spread of disease and returns essential nutrients to the soil. Wolverines face threats from habitat loss and climate change, making their survival increasingly precarious. Protecting these elusive animals

Here's some rare footage of a wolverine taken recently by Craig Christopherson near Rankin Lake in the Rattlesnake Wilderness. These relatively solitary carnivores in the weasel family tend to avoid people, but this individual lingered long enough to be extensively documented. Wolverines are primarily nocturnal and are active all year. They require habitat that is characterized by conifers and large portions of wild land where human impacts are minimal. They can travel long distances in short pe