Less than three hours from Seattle, Cascade National Park offers alpine landscape filled with incredible creatures adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Visitors can hike amongst the Cascade’s jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers and if you are extremely lucky you may encounter one of its most elusive residents, the wolverine.
The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is a rare intrepid weasel whose populations are slowly recovering in the Cascade Mountains. Currently biologists estimate the population to be 30-40 individuals within the North Cascades and the number of wolverines across the contiguous United States is estimated to approximately 300 individuals or less.
With this incredibly low population density, the probability of seeing one in person almost non-existent but hiker Andrew Bellini was fortunate enough to capture one on video while exploring Cascade National Park and shared the footage with the Cascade Wolverine Project who collects observations of wolverines and their tracks throughout the Cascades through their community science program:
Community Scientist Andrew Bellini:
“I was hiking when I saw a huge overlook into the valley. There were a few people there relaxing. I remember going over and thinking it was a good spot to look for wildlife, as the overlook wasn’t very densely forested.
That’s when something came moving in the distance, in an abnormal posture that reminded me of an otter. What’s funny is that, despite not being very well hidden, nobody had noticed it at all. It just goes to show how camouflage can hide wildlife from the casually passing eye. Maybe I wouldn’t have seen it if I hadn’t been explicitly looking for wildlife.
As it came closer, I instantly recognized it as a wolverine and pulled out my phone. People came to look, and some even argued with me, saying it was a badger—but I know my wildlife. Anyway, as it disappeared, I hopped to the next lookout point to try and see it again, since the moment had been so quick. Sure enough, I saw it again, running down a game trail, and got a second video.
What shocks me is that the location is a popular spot for hikers, and it was a bright, sunny day. The chances of seeing one—especially at that time—were so slim. The rangers didn’t believe me until I showed them the video. They said they had never seen one, and that I probably never will again.”
About Cascades Wolverine Project:
Cascades Wolverine Project supports wolverine recovery in the Washington Cascades, connecting science, storytelling, and recreation for the benefit of people and wildlife.
Background: Biologists seek to answer basic questions about wolverine ecology in the Cascades, such as distribution, abundance, and habitat relations. But the intrepid Gulo gulo is notoriously difficult to study due to the remote and rugged terrain they inhabit. Blending skills from science, alpine recreation, conservation, and storytelling, our team collects valuable occupancy data, and engages those who share the mountains with wildlife in the Pacific Northwest.
CWP is an active member of the Washington Wolverine Research and Monitoring Group, which works to advance wolverine research and monitoring in Washington by strengthening collaborations and data-sharing among wolverine projects statewide. Our wolverine data contributes to the Database of Verifiable Wolverine Detections in Washington, a comprehensive database of non-telemetry-based, verifiable detections of wolverines in Washington from 1996 to the present.
We work in collaboration with USFS, Conservation Northwest, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada. We’re supported by Patagonia in partnership with The Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies, the Charlotte Martin Foundation, and individual donors.
Related: Wolverine Chased By Helicopter Displays Impressive Speed
