Wolverine! Not that one; a REAL one moves to New Forest Wildlife Park in Hampshire

Forget the fictional hero; the New Forest Wildlife Park is thrilled to announce the arrival of its newest resident - a wolverine called Bodie, who is making his grand debut just in time for the Easter holidays. 

For several months, the family-run wildlife park team has been thoughtfully designing and constructing a habitat that mirrors Bodie’s natural environment. The enriching enclosure has been designated to stimulate and indulge his natural curiosity.

As a young male (born in early 2022), Bodie joins the New Forest Wildlife Park from London’s Whipsnade Zoo. He is a very active wolverine, fond of climbing and reaching high vantage points.

The wolverine is the largest terrestrial member of the mustelid family, a group that includes weasels, badgers, and otters. These incredible animals are designed for survival in colder climates, equipped with wide paws and sharp claws that allow them to navigate snowy terrain. While they are known as scavengers, wolverines are also fiercely capable hunters and prefer to hunt and live alone. They have been known to travel up to 40 miles in search of food and move either by jumping, which creates paired tracks, or by galloping. Their semi-retractable claws allow them to climb trees, an impressive feat for an animal of their size. 

Although the worldwide status of wolverines is classed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, the European population is classified as "Vulnerable," and their global population is decreasing. Sadly, hunting and habitat loss led to their extinction in the UK approximately 8000 years ago. It is estimated that there are currently around 1300 wolverines in Europe. 

"Wolverines are plain and simply an incredible species that people just don’t realise exist!" says Lizzy McNamara, Senior Keeper. "They are an immensely fierce and impressive mustelid that would have lived here among us in the UK. Our aim is to support native and European species through different forms of conservation and education efforts. We are very excited to be welcoming Bodie as the only wolverine in Hampshire. We hope everyone will join us in awe of Bodie and come to learn how important wolverines are in the balance of our ecosystem."

Visitors to the New Forest Wildlife Park are invited to visit and see Bodie, Hampshire's very own wolverine, and to discover more about this intriguing and important species.

Image credits to Helen Pinchin