The Rarest Animal in California Was Just Spotted on a Trail Camera OutdoorHub Reporters 07.27.16



California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Chris Stermer’s trail camera captured this photograph of a wolverine on May 18, 2016 and now the public is able to see it for the first time.

The photo shows a wolverine in the Tahoe National Forest which is located near Truckee, California. Until 2008 it was belived that wolverines were extinct in the state of California. Since then the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been tracking the wolverine, nicknamed Buddy.

Chris Stermer said “When you see them on video, a wolverine is a pretty exciting species to have in California,. With the population we have in California, thinking that we can have a wild wolverine amongst us is pretty amazing. It really begins to restore our larger carnivores back in California.”

Biologist are still waiting on DNA results from the site, but they are almost certain that this is the same animal spotted earlier in the year. “Buddy” is estimated to be around 9 years old which means it is reaching the end of its natural life span. Once the only California wolverine dies it’s unlikely another one will be spotted for quite some time.

Earlier in the year the same wolverine was captured on video which you can see below: