Editor’s note: The photo above is from the wolverine sighting near Portland in March 2023.
That wolverine which made a rare appearance near Portland last month may have made his way to Central Oregon. But emphasis on the word “may.”
There were reports last week of a wolverine sighting near Sisters last week, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed to Central Oregon Daily News Thursday. A video was taken of the wolverine on Highway 20 east of Santiam Pass.
- Wolverine spotted near Portland in rare sighting outside Wallowa Mountains
- VIDEO: Wolverine spotted a 2nd time near Portland
But is it the same one as in Portland?
“Based on timing, locations of the verified sightings and the trajectory of travel, it is possible that these sightings are of the same individual wolverine though it cannot be confirmed,” said Beth Quillian, ODFW North Coast, North & South Willamette Watersheds Communications Coordinator. “Long-distance dispersal or “exploratory” movements are not irregular for a wolverine during this time of year and they can travel well over 30 miles in a day. Based on the location, this wolverine is likely dispersing to a new area where it can survive and hopefully reproduce.
Quillian says wolverines need high‐elevation habitat — alpine areas with dense snowpack. But she says young wolverines often disperse long distances to establish new territory.
ODFW previously said wolverines can travel 30 miles a day.
