Wolverines and other mustelids including marten, fisher, and mink are trapped commercially for fur, with welfare concerns about trap types, capture stress, and non-target bycatch.
Mustelid and furbearer trapping welfare spans a wide range of actual outcomes depending on trap type, placement, weather, and check frequency. A body-gripping trap that kills quickly and cleanly causes brief acute suffering. A leg-hold trap that holds a wolverine for 24 hours in freezing temperatures before the trapper checks it causes prolonged extreme suffering. The regulatory frameworks that govern trapping focus primarily on target species management and sustainability rather than individual animal welfare. ISO performance standards for traps exist but compliance is not universal. Consumer choices about fur products influence demand that drives trapping pressure; welfare-conscious consumers who wish to buy fur should understand that the welfare conditions of individual trapped animals are variable and poorly monitored.