ANCHORAGE, Alaska, March 19 (UPI) -- Biologists in Alaska are worried about a game board decision allowing wolverines to be trapped in portions of the Chugach State Park near Anchorage.
The little-noticed action was taken recently during the board's 10-day spring meeting, The Anchorage Daily News reports.
One of the wildest and most solitary creatures, the wolverine is nearly impossible to spot as part of a wildlife-viewing experience.
Biologist Rick Sinnott says the most recent aerial survey available estimates there are between 11 and 23 wolverines in the entire 1,900 square miles of the park managed by the game board.
"Even if they harvest just one more a year than they do now, that's going to be a 20 percent harvest rate, which I don't think any wolverine population can sustain," Sinnott says.
Adding to Sinnott's concerns, a state biologist says allowing wolverine trapping in portions of the park could endanger dogs that accompany skiers and backpackers.
