Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Wolverine (the animal, not the X-Man) makes rare appearance in California
Listen
• 1:56
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
A fuzzy critter has been causing a stir in California this week. Wildlife experts have confirmed an ultrarare sighting of a wolverine.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "X-MEN")
KEVIN RUSHTON: (As Stu) I know what you are.
Support for LAist comes from
HUGH JACKMAN: (As Logan/Wolverine) You lost your money. You keep this up, you lose something else.
MALCOLM NEFSKY: (As Stu's buddy) Come on.
ANNA PAQUIN: (As Rogue) Look out.
(SOUNDBITE OF METAL SLICING)
ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
No, sadly, not that kind of wolverine. We're talking about this kind of wolverine.
(SOUNDBITE OF WOLVERINE SNARLING)
Support for LAist comes from
SHAPIRO: Still menacing, but arguably cuter-looking than the mutant from "X-Men."
KELLY: Yes. Wolverines are the largest species of land-dwelling weasels - typically 20 to 66 pounds, about a foot and a half tall, long, fluffy tail. They look kind of like a small bear. Wolverines used to roam in California's Sierra Nevada range. However, they disappeared from the state in 1922 likely due to hunting and fur trapping.
SHAPIRO: Today, wolverine populations are found in cooler climates from Canada to Norway to China. The wolverine spotted in California is only the second confirmed sighting of the creature in that state in the last hundred years.
DANIEL GAMMONS: Yeah, we were a bit suspicious 'cause it's an awfully rare thing.
KELLY: Daniel Gammons is a wildlife biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
GAMMONS: We've looked at claim sightings of these things before. And, you know, it turned out maybe it was a bear or a marmot or something, a mistaken identity. When we saw the video, we were just kind of blown away. Wow. That is, in fact, the real thing.
KELLY: Now, if you're wondering if the recent sightings might signal a wolverine resurgence in the state, Gammons says, maybe.
Support for LAist comes from
GAMMONS: It's certainly too early to say anything real conclusive, but it certainly raises the possibility that, you know, it may be possible here. But I think there's - at this point, there's a lot more questions than there are answers.
SHAPIRO: Well, if you're in the California wilderness, keep your eyes peeled. You might just catch a glimpse of this rare creature...
(SOUNDBITE OF WOLVERINE SNARLING)
SHAPIRO: ...Or hear one. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Heavy rain is expected to fall in the L.A. area between tonight and Thursday. So take your poncho if you're headed to Dodger Stadium. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist