The wolverine is not considered a native or established resident of North Dakota. While the animal historically ranged across parts of the state in the early 1800s, it has been essentially absent from the region for over a century. Any wolverine found within North Dakota’s borders today is an extremely rare traveler, known as a transient individual. The state does not possess the necessary environment to support a permanent, breeding wolverine population.
Confirmed Sightings and Transient Status in North Dakota
The presence of a wolverine in North Dakota is an exceptional event, with verified sightings being few since the mid-19th century. The most recent confirmation occurred in 2016, marking the first verified sighting in the state in approximately 150 years. This animal, a male identified as M56, was legally shot by a ranch hand in McKenzie County after it was reported to be harassing livestock.
A necropsy performed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department revealed a radio transmitter, confirming the animal’s journey. M56 had been captured and collared in Wyoming, south of Yellowstone National Park, and had previously traveled into Colorado. Its movement into North Dakota represented one of the longest dispersal events documented for the species, covering over 2,000 miles. Such appearances are almost exclusively limited to solitary males dispersing vast distances from established territories.
Ecological Barriers to a Stable Population
Wolverines require a specific, cold, and mountainous environment that North Dakota largely lacks. A primary requirement is high-elevation, rugged terrain, typically found in alpine or boreal forest habitats. The state’s predominantly flat prairie and agricultural landscape contrasts sharply with these needs.
The most limiting factor is the requirement for deep, persistent snowpack that lasts into the late spring. Female wolverines must burrow into this deep snow to create natal dens where they give birth to and raise their young. Without this stable snow cover, which acts as both insulation and protection for the kits, successful reproduction is unlikely or impossible. North Dakota’s seasonal snow is not sufficiently deep or reliable to meet the demands of a breeding population.
Typical North American Range and Legal Protection
Wolverines maintain established populations primarily in the high-altitude, cold regions of North America, including Alaska and much of Canada. In the contiguous United States, their stronghold is limited to the Northern Rocky Mountains, encompassing parts of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, as well as the North Cascade Mountains in Washington. These areas provide the necessary combination of rugged terrain and consistent, long-lasting snow cover.
The wolverine in the contiguous United States was officially listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in November 2023. This designation was prompted by the projected loss of their snowy habitat due to the effects of climate change. This federal protection means that even a rare transient individual, like the one seen in North Dakota, is protected from harm wherever it is encountered.