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People are silhouetted against the sky at dusk as they watch the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Edgerton, Kan. The two planets are in their closest observable alignment since 1226. Appearing a tenth of a degree apart, the alignment known as the "great conjunction" has also been called the "Christmas Star." (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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wolverine spotted near Portland

Cascadia Wild

A wolverine was spotted by two people that were fishing on the Columbia River near Portland on Monday, according to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). This is the first confirmed report of a wolverine outside of the Wallowa Mountains in over 30 years, according to officials.

A wolverine resembles a small bear with a bushy tail. They are rare and listed as threatened in Oregon, according to ODFW.

On Monday, the two anglers snapped photos of the animal and submitted the information to Cascadia Wild, a non-profit wildlife conservation group that focuses on wolverine tracking, along with ODFW. On Tuesday, the groups verified that the animal in the image was a wolverine and discovered a set of wolverine tracks near the river.

No other signs of the animal were found.

"Given the proximity to Portland, we were very surprised when this report came in and elated when we were able to verify the sighting,î said ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Dave Keiter in a press release on Wednesday. ìWe really appreciate the people who reported this rare occurrence and Cascadia Wild who helped us confirm the report and begin monitoring efforts.î

ODFW and Cascadia Wild have installed non-invasive monitoring stations in the area in hopes of capturing more evidence of this elusive creature. But they arenít hopeful that the animal will make an appearance again.

ìIt is likely that this animal was dispersing as the habitat in the area doesnít meet the life history requirements of wolverines,î reads the press release. ìWolverine can travel over 30 miles in a day, so it is likely the animal is already long gone from where it was sighted.î

For wildlife enthusiasts this sighting only made their day:

ìA WOLVERINE, a freaking WOLVERINE in Western Oregon week, month, year made!,î ODFW tweeted.

They are asking anyone who captures images of the animal to please submit the evidence to them.

ìSome of the best information

Elusive animal spotted outside its usual range for the first time in over 30 years