A real wolverine roams the snow in California

The wolverine was sighted three times in the eastern Sierra Nevada last month. Credit: National Park Service/AP

A wolverine has been seen walking through the snow in the eastern Sierra Nevada, a rare occurrence considering it has only been seen once in California in the past century.

Although wolverines are found in this part of the US, the local population has been thought to have been extinct since the 1920s, probably as a result of hunting and fur trapping in the decades following the gold rush, although records from time do not indicate what exactly caused decrease.

One wolverine was sighted in California between 2008 and 2018, starting in the Tahoe National Forest, officials said.

The wolverine is believed to be different from the one photographed in the US in 2009. : Reuters

A young male recently photographed and seen in three different locations was likely different because the animal's lifespan is typically 12-13 years.

Local wildlife officials believe the animal may have been looking for a mate as it traveled through the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park.

«It's really exciting and amazing,» said Daniel Gammons, senior scientist is an environmentalist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Bear animals have a ferocious reputation, as does the Marvel character of the same name. performed by Hugh Jackman. Photo: AP Photo

Although wolverines are usually no more than 43 inches in length, they are strong and ferocious creatures that have sharp claws to help them navigate difficult mountainous terrain.

Male wolverines roam over vast territories — easily several hundred square miles — and heavy snowfall this winter may have created «habitat bridges» for the wolverine, Mr Gammons said.

It was believed that the animal could come from the mountain ranges of the Rocky and Cascade Mountains, or even from Canada or Alaska.