Abstract

Among those carnivores most at risk to contemporary environmental changes are the wolverine, the Cascade red fox, and Canada lynx. In Washington state, these three carnivores inhabit high-elevation sites throughout the Cascade Range, occur naturally at low densities, are snow-adapted, and thus particularly sensitive to climate warming.

The wolverine was extirpated from Washington by about 1920 but naturally recolonized this portion of its historical range through natural dispersal from Canada at the turn of this century. Today, while extremely uncommon, the wolverine is increasingly being detected in Washington including at Mount Rainier National Park where the first reproductive female was documented in over a century. The extent to which wolverines occur at this southern range limit is not well understood. In particular, little is known regarding their connectivity to individuals north of I-90 or of trends in the population.

The Cascade red fox was historically distributed throughout the Cascade Range from southern British Columbia to southern Washington but has suffered a major range contraction. This rare mountain fox has a unique evolutionary history, having migrated into North America during the penultimate Illinoian glaciation and persisted south of the icesheets during the last Wisconsin glaciation. The remaining known population appears to be small enough that stochastic events such as outbreaks of disease, the arrival of novel competitors, increased recreation, or the impacts of climate change could threaten its long-term persistence. Efforts to better understand the drivers of its decline are currently underway to help restore this newly endangered species.

There may be fewer than 30 female Canada lynx remaining in Washington, primarily inhabiting disjunct areas of intact habitat in western Washington. Canada lynx are a state Endangered and federally Threatened species. Climate change is threatening this population as warm, dry conditions create both increased wildfire and reduced snow packs. Little is known regarding the current abundance or genetic characteristics of lynx in Washington, and their current connectivity and source-sink dynamics with British Columbia. 

Research is needed to better understand the conservation status, threats to their populations, and management actions that will ensure the long-persistence of these rare carnivores.