DIRECT OBSERVATIONS OF A WOLVERINE SCAVENGING AT AN ACTIVE GRAY WOLF KILL SITE

Abstract

Scavenging carrion is an important source of nutrition for Wolverines (Gulo gulo), which are facultative scavengers. Other large carnivores, particularly Gray Wolves (Canis lupus), may compete with and exclude Wolverines from carrion or pose a risk of death or injury to Wolverines attempting to consume these resources. We used a video-camera trap to document a Wolverine scavenging an Elk (Cervus elaphus) being actively consumed by a Gray Wolf in Idaho. The Wolverine investigated the kill, ate, scent marked, and removed pieces of the carcass to cache at other sites. Between the 2nd and 3rd visit by the Wolverine, a wolf returns to feed at the kill. These observations establish that Wolverines do not necessarily avoid kills when Gray Wolves are present and that species interactions are more complex than generally thought.