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A question we commonly ask fans of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is: If you could see one animal out in the wild, what would it be? It may surprise you that the most popular answer by far is the wolverine. So, why are wolverines at the top of so many peoples’ wildlife bucket list?

These elusive critters are rarely seen and even more rarely captured on camera. Their near-mythological status, incredible journeys over isolated jagged peaks, and wild fierceness in a furry compact body makes the wolverine definitely one of the coolest species in the ecosystem… if not the world. Wolverines also made headlines in late 2023 when they were listed for protections under the Endangered Species Act, an important step in securing their long-term future in the Lower 48.

We’re so excited to have our own wolverine expert on staff to join us and share her knowledge and experience working with these wonderous creatures. Blakeley Adkins, who you may remember from episode 6, is The Volgenau Foundation Wildlife Conservation Associate here at the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. She’s spent many days in frigid temperatures conducting research work on wolverines in both the United States and Canada. Blakeley is also one of the few people who can tell you what a wolverine both sounds like and smells like. And, pro tip, if you ever find yourself trying to track down one of these secretive animals, don’t bring a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. Listen in, and you’ll learn why.

Blakeley’s Wolverine Videos from the Field

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

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Thanks for listening in!

-Kristin Oxford & Emmy Reed, GYC Communications