The Howling Return of the Wolverine

Once overhunted to near extinction, the wolverine has come back to its historical range, which includes southern Finland, as proved by researchers who have monitored the gradual reappearance of the elusive mammal through the study of evolving forest landscapes.

“Understanding habitats is essential for improving species conservation and management,” explains Miina Rautiainen, remote-sensing expert and co-author of the study.

The wolverine’s habitat spans boreal and Arctic regions across northern Europe, Russia, and North America. The species was last observed in southern Finland in the 19^th century; in the 1980s, it was classified as endangered. The ferocious mammal prefers older forest-felling sites and avoids recently cleared areas. Scientists from Aalto University utilized satellite imagery, field data, and remote sensing to monitor changes in wildlife distribution, most notably concerning evolving forest landscapes, highlighting the importance of conserving diverse forest types to support population resilience. The wolverine remains endangered in Finland despite signs of recovery due to its small population size, slow genetic diversity, and habitat fragmentation.