For the first time in 100 years, wolverines are back in Mount Rainier National Park. How did they get there?

In the summer of 2020, there was some big news for wildlife in the pacific northwest. In the wild spaces of Mount Rainier National Park, a female wolverine was discovered along with two babies known as kits. It is believed that these tenacious predators haven't been in the park for over a century. The wolverines were back. This is the story of the return of the wolverines and the woman who searched for 15 years to find them.

Dr Jocelyn Atkins is a wolverine biologist and founder of the Cascade Carnivore Project. 

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THE WILD is a production of KUOW, Chris Morgan Wildlife, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by Matt Martin and edited by Jim Gates. The Wild is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.