Rare Sierra Sighting Could Be Same Wolverine Spotted In 2008

TRUCKEE, Calif.  (AP) — Once believed to have gone extinct in the Sierra Nevada, scientists believe a wolverine spotted this winter north of Lake Tahoe is the same one that in 2008 became the first documented in the area since the 1920s.

California wildlife biologist Chris Stermer set up remote cameras in the Tahoe National Forest after researchers sent him photos of unusual tracks in the snow in January.

One video clip captured Feb. 27 shows the wolverine scale a tree and tug at a baited sock near Truckee. The video is posted on the agency's Facebook account.

Stermer is awaiting DNA test results. But he told the Sierra Sun newspaper (http://bit.ly/2apR99p ) he's almost certain it's the same wolverine that he suspects migrated to California eight years ago from the Sawtooth Range in Idaho.

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Information from: Sierra Sun.