Dense wolf tracks nearby clearly marked her struggle. A red gash ran across her neck and, transferring her carefully to the back of my snow machine, I could feel that her body was savagely broken. When we arrived at the scene, Avalanche lay on her back, front paws extended, as though frozen mid-bound. Ours is the first collar-based research effort on the Arctic tundra since 1981, so our days often bring surprises.
Only through such efforts can we learn how to effectively protect these animals, and other iconic wildlife, in these expansive, largely undeveloped places. We’re combining intensive field studies, cutting-edge wildlife research technology, and the knowledge of indigenous peoples to better understand the ecology of this remarkable species on the harsh Arctic tundra, in habitats that include the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve. Our effort is part of a larger Wildlife Conservation Society program in Alaska. Now, after a cold, hour-long ride from our base camp, we were greeted by a conspicuous mound of black and brown fur. One of our satellite-collared wolverines, a young female named Avalanche, had stopped moving 48 hours ago, long enough to warrant investigation. I stood up on my snow machine as we approached, back straightened and muscles tensed.
