Wolverines are superbly adapted to harsh winter environments, but climate-driven snowpack loss is threatening their survival and welfare across their North American and Eurasian range.
Wolverine welfare is directly coupled to winter conditions in ways that make climate change an existential welfare threat. Den collapse due to insufficient snowpack kills cubs in their most vulnerable developmental phase. Failed food caches due to early snowmelt leave wolverines facing spring with depleted energy reserves at a time when cubs are most dependent. Human disturbance of dens — from snowmobile recreation — causes maternal stress and den abandonment, leaving cubs to die from cold exposure. Protecting remaining wolverine habitat requires both climate action and immediate management measures including snowmobile exclusion zones around known denning areas during the February-April critical period.