Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Wolverines are considered ruthless killers as they don't always kill their prey instantly but instead paralyze it by biting it in the spine. In the winter the wolverine may kill several reindeer in quick succession. This is typical for weasels as they kill animals for storage. The wolverine then returns to the carcass, just like the bear. It rips off the prey animal's neck tendons and rarely leaves any claw marks on the animal. The wolverine also often detaches the prey animal's head.
In Northern Finland where reindeer husbandry is practiced wolverines are unfortunately persecuted, regardless of their low numbers. Even though they are critically endangered poaching of this beautiful carnivore (and other large carnivores of Finland) is not uncommon there. Also, as unreasonable as it is, Finland's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry allows, and sets permits for wolverine hunting. Hunting of wolverines is outrageous and short sighted as there would be non-lethal methods available. The small population should be preserved, not hated and killed, as wolverines are an important part of the ecosystem and nature.
As per 2018 Finland paid 2700 euros or more per large predator (wolverine, wolf, lynx, bear) killed reindeer to the reindeer herder. For a single reindeer that herder sold for meat, he got around 500 euros. I am sure those numbers are higher today, but I wasn't able to find any reliable sources for that information. For this reason, some herders are known to buy reindeer calves, or use some of their adult reindeer, and intentionally leave them for the predators to kill. However, most of the Sami herders are honest and follow the law.
I photographed this hungry, salivating wolverine during early morning hours in Eastern Finland, by Russian border. He found some meat left for him as a bait in front of our photography hide.
During this trip, I was also informed that wolverines had recently been poisoned by the haters in the area. Such a beautiful animal doing what he is meant to do...be a wolverine. Sadly, there is less and less human kindness in this world.
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Wolverines are considered ruthless killers as they don't always kill their prey instantly but instead paralyze it by biting it in the spine. In the winter the wolverine may kill several reindeer in quick succession. This is typical for weasels as they kill animals for storage. The wolverine then returns to the carcass, just like the bear. It rips off the prey animal's neck tendons and rarely leaves any claw marks on the animal. The wolverine also often detaches the prey animal's head.
In Northern Finland where reindeer husbandry is practiced wolverines are unfortunately persecuted, regardless of their low numbers. Even though they are critically endangered poaching of this beautiful carnivore (and other large carnivores of Finland) is not uncommon there. Also, as unreasonable as it is, Finland's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry allows, and sets permits for wolverine hunting. Hunting of wolverines is outrageous and short sighted as there would be non-lethal methods available. The small population should be preserved, not hated and killed, as wolverines are an important part of the ecosystem and nature.
As per 2018 Finland paid 2700 euros or more per large predator (wolverine, wolf, lynx, bear) killed reindeer to the reindeer herder. For a single reindeer that herder sold for meat, he got around 500 euros. I am sure those numbers are higher today, but I wasn't able to find any reliable sources for that information. For this reason, some herders are known to buy reindeer calves, or use some of their adult reindeer, and intentionally leave them for the predators to kill. However, most of the Sami herders are honest and follow the law.
I photographed this hungry, salivating wolverine during early morning hours in Eastern Finland, by Russian border. He found some meat left for him as a bait in front of our photography hide.
During this trip, I was also informed that wolverines had recently been poisoned by the haters in the area. Such a beautiful animal doing what he is meant to do...be a wolverine. Sadly, there is less and less human kindness in this world.