‘I think it is the toughest animal in the North’: human-wolverine interactions among hunters and trappers in the Canadian Northwest Territories

Abstract

ABSTRACT The wolverine (Gulo gulo), a carnivore species of ‘Special Concern’ for its western population and ‘Endangered’ for its eastern population, is of special management concern in Canada. Hence understanding human-wolverine relationships and human perceptions toward this carnivore species has become important. Moreover, wolverines are harvested for fur in northern Canada, thus hunters and trappers who live in the vicinity with this species are key stakeholders. Using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires we analysed human-wolverine interactions and perceptions among Dene and Métis hunters and trappers in the Canadian Northwest Territories. We found that hunters and trappers had comprehensive knowledge about wolverine ecology and behavior. Values associated with this species ranged from respect for their tenacious character and strength, to describing the wolverine as a trickster. Stories emphasizing the wolverines’ mischievous nature were also common. Dene and Métis hunters and trappers acknowledge the importance of the wolverine in the socio-ecological system and have observed the cumulative impacts that climate and human-induced landscape change have had on wolverine habitat and population dynamics. Listening to hunters and trappers is one path towards more insightful management options in situations involving conflicts with wolverines.