Wolverines are wide-ranging boreal carnivores facing habitat contraction from climate change and human encroachment, with welfare implications for isolated populations.
Wild wolverines face an existential welfare and conservation challenge from climate change destroying the snowpack they require for denning and food security. Isolated populations in fragmented habitat cannot maintain genetic viability or access adequate prey. Individual wolverines in shrinking habitat ranges experience increased energy expenditure, reduced reproductive success, and heightened human conflict. Wildlife corridors connecting wolverine habitat patches and reducing trapping pressure are important welfare and conservation interventions alongside the overarching need for climate action.