Wolverines in the contiguous United States are threatened by climate change and habitat fragmentation, and will be listed under the Endangered Species Act. The largest terrestrial member of the weasel family, wolverines are famously fierce for their size. Only an estimated 300 remain, inhabiting areas of the Northern Rocky Mountains and Northern Cascades of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, and Oregon. Climate change modeling has predicted reductions of spring snow in the breeding range of wolverines, which is a problem because females make dens from spring snow to give birth. The move to protect wolverines is the culmination of a quarter-century campaign and legal battle by a coalition of wildlife advocates. The decision includes an interim rule that makes exemptions for cases in which people accidentally harm wolverines while lawfully trapping for other species, as well as for forest management to reduce wildfire risk. Federal agencies like the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will have to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service if they are considering activities on public lands that could harm wolverines.

Climate change is profoundly impacting wolverines, with habitat degradation and fragmentation emerging as critical concerns. The wintry landscapes that wolverines depend on are dwindling due to the effects of climate change, posing a formidable threat to their overall population. Wolverines are highly specialized creatures, relying on specific environmental conditions characterized by cold and snowy regions for their survival. Unfortunately, the ongoing shifts in climate, marked by rising temperatures and alterations in precipitation patterns, are detrimentally affecting their habitat. This dual onslaught of habitat degradation and fragmentation creates a formidable challenge for wolverines, making it increasingly difficult for them to locate suitable areas for crucial activities such as breeding, foraging, and establishing territories. These detrimental impacts have contributed significantly to the decline in wolverine populations, prompting their classification as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.