Wolverine kit born at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

On Valentine's Day 2006, the AZA-accredited Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, WA bore witness to the uncommon captive birth of a wolverine kit. The kit was removed from the wolverine habitat immediately following the birth and cared for by keepers to give it the best possible chance for survival. The kit is snow white, a stark difference from the dark brown coats of its parents. Wolverines are uncommon in accredited zoos; only 10 North American institutions currently house the species. Other than Northwest Trek, only the Detroit Zoo has had a surviving litter of kits in the last two years.

The wolverine is a carnivorous mammal native to the northern areas of North America and Europe; it is categorized as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Since the beginning of its decline in the mid 1800s, the wolverine is now found only in scattered areas of the U.S. The main causes of the species' decline are trapping and habitat loss. Wolverines have 38 sharp teeth, non-retractable claws for attacking prey, and are frequently referred to as "devil bear" or "skunk bean" Despite their wicked reputation, wolverines obtain much of their food by consuming dead animals and therefore play an important role in ecosystems.