Abstract
Studying the habitat and food selection dynamics of wolverines (Gulo gulo) is critical for good management practices, especially in regions where their populations face anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates the influence of landscape features and food availability in den site selection of breeding female wolverines in the former county of Hedmark, Norway. Using a dataset of 127 den sites collected between 2001 and 2024, by agencies such as the Norwegian Environment Agency, I tested the influence of environmental and anthropogenic resources on breeding wolverine den placement at a landscape scale and home range scale. The results suggest that female wolverines favor den sites located near the tree line, in higher terrain roughness and a lower residential density. While moose (Alces alces) winter concentration areas were hypothesized to be significant for den selection, the models suggested they were not relevant. Instead, topography influenced den placement. The findings suggest that wolverines may rely on else, but moose or livestock areas to survive throughout the breeding season. For example, maybe cached food rather than proximity to livestock or moose sources during the denning period. This study highlights the importance of understanding both landscape and food resources in wolverine den site behavior.
