Here in West Siberia gulo density is really low, so nobody targets them specifically. A handful of permits are distributed in our regions (Yugra, Tomsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk), but the chance of actually encountering one is low. Most of them are accidental bycatch in sable sets or during sable hunting with laika dogs, just like pretty much elsewhere in Siberia; you can go for weeks/hundreds of miles without seeing a single track. Yet I think pretty much everyone who's done at least a bit of sable trapping has encountered gulo trap thieves. I've looked at several tanned wolverine pelts a fur seller had here, and most had missing or split claws on one of the front paws. Here's a photo from Yakutia that someone posted a few years ago. Yet another trap, the one in which it got caught, is not in the picture.





Traditionally (but not legally), of the most effective illegal ways to remove such a trapline pest, or when a wolverine keeps visiting and destroying a cabin, has been to hang a piece of cable with a big treble hook and a chunk of hazel grouse or rabbit fur from a stout tree branch. The wolverine will reach up, grab it with both paws and freeze. I've seen pictures of such catches.

Here's a picture of a typical West Siberian wolverine treed by a laika during a sable hunt. They're very dark here and genetically distinct from more eastern populations. It was a very fat male, and I rendered its fat in a jar on a radiator, just for the sake of it. It smells scary and I've got no idea what to use it for, other than in some kind of magic potion:)


They are more plentiful in some parts of the Far East and sometimes gather into big packs, but many people claim that it's often connected with illegal large-scale salmon harversting for roe, usually done by Moscow-owned corporations, where the fish itself is taken to landfills to rot, or with equally large-scale reindeer poaching which unfortunately isn't uncommon in some parts of Evenkia and other regions. I've heard the same about this video showing a huge crowd of pale wolverines (typical for the population around the Okhotsk Sea), but I don't know for sure.

Can't embed videos from that platform, but here's the link:
https://vk.com/video?z=video13029206_456239247

In case anyone's curious about more scientific stuff, here's a paper on the Eurasian wolverine that we published last year. Right now, the Scandinavian population seems to be under the most stress, probably due to habitat fragmentation.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddi.13846

Nivalis, what a great lineup of fur.

I like how you lined them up in colour code from light to dark. The seventh one from left, and the last one, are brilliant in necklace bling. Just outstanding. They all are unique and beautiful. I even see white toes on some. I also like to see big bottle brush tails on them. They sometimes wave them like a horse in the wind when they run.

I could marvel for hours at each fur. With everyone's catch too.

I don't know why more folks don't rug those furs. To me, seeing the whole fur, bottom to top on a nicely framed rug frame to compliment , is among the most beautiful way to show them .

Great thread. Very interesting animal and I also love catching these. I once chanced upon one and got to watch it work a set, from about 400 yds away. They’re quick learners and can probably smell a 5 year old m



ouse turd under 6’ of snow. I only set BG traps for them but any foot trap set for lynx I try to set with a gulo in mind.

Interesting cavities on those two teeth Jarl !! I've seen lots of weird ones but nothing nearly symmetrical like that one.