Utah biologists capture, collar and release wolverine for first time: "Once in a lifetime"

Scientists in Utah have captured, collared and released a wolverine for the first time, in what wildlife officials are calling a "once-in-a-lifetime" event. Officials with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said it was just the eighth confirmed wolverine sighting in Utah since 1979.  

"It's amazing to get a chance to see a wolverine in the wild, let alone catch one," said Jim Christensen, DWR northern region wildlife manager. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Officials said that on March 10, an aircraft piloted by personnel from USDA-Wildlife Services was flying over Rich County, Utah when they noticed an animal feeding on a dead sheep. They flew a bit closer and confirmed the animal was a wolverine.