The elusive creatures live in remote mountainous areas and any sightings — let alone on a beach — are rare, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Then she showed them a picture. In the May 23 snap, a furry animal with distinctive markings appears to be eating the carcass of a marine animal that washed ashore.
“This is way outside the beaten path for the wolverines,” Lewis said. “It’s not near the habitats they are usually at.”
“It’s special and noteworthy,” Lewis said about the sighting. “Before we had to take people for their word. It’s easier to document this now since everyone has a phone and a camera.”
A wolverine was also seen on May 20, walking down a road in Naselle, a town east of Long Beach Peninsula, Lewis said. An observer captured two pictures of it and submitted them to Lewis for confirmation.
“Given the oddball nature of these observations,” Lewis said. “It seems likely this is the same animal.”
While the animal does look like it is on the smaller side, Lewis said, it is normal for wolverines to strike out on their own. The age and gender of the animal are unknown. He added that juveniles disperse to find new homes away from relatives.
“I worry about this one because it is in an area way more densely populated then where it is used to,” he said. “My concern about it most is it can get hit in the road or someone might shoot it.”
“People do not need to worry about it,” he said. “Just enjoy seeing it go by.”
Source : Nbcnewyork