Wolverine spotted in city
Rare sightings on Tin Can Hill, near legislative assembly
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, November 20, 2014
YELLOWKNIFE
Kevin Klingbeil thought he was looking at a fox, but when he noticed the creature walking with an odd gait he realized he was looking at a wolverine.
Last week's sighting at Tin Can Hill was his first look at such a beast, he said, adding he wasn't the only one in the area at the time. Neighbours also witnessed the creature moving through town, he said.
A wolverine, rarely sighted in Yellowknife was spotted around the legislative assembly, as well as on Tin Can Hill. - NNSL file photo
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John Lee, who used to work for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), when it was called the Department of Renewable Resources, said he saw the wolverine sniffing its way along the shoreline into the city, near the legislative assembly. He said he was surprised to see the animal there, as they are rarely seen in Yellowknife.
"I've seen them before, but not in town, so it was neat to see one," he said. "They are around. We often see tracks coming across the lake."
Mayor Mark Heyck tweeted a warning to residents to keep their dogs on a leash, early last week. Heyck said he'd heard from a resident that a group of dogs cornered an animal, and when the owners approached to rein the dogs in, they realized it was a wolverine. Heyck didn't know where this allegedly took place.
"So they got the dogs back, and the wolverine sort of sauntered on its way," he said. Wolverines are rarely seen around town, said Heyck, and after hearing of multiple sightings over the course of a few days, he wondered if it means there is a den in the area.
Judy McLinton, spokesperson for the ENR, said she heard about the wolverine sighting at the legislative assembly last week. She said it is probably only passing through the area - not setting up in town - and if residents do spot it they should call the wildlife emergency line at (867) 873-7181. If a wolverine is reported to be near a populated area, wildlife officers will live-trap it, and take it away to be released away from human settlements, she said.
