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This species lives in isolated northern areas (Wikipedia 2011). Hatler et al. (2008) say: "The Wolverine is generally associated with remote wilderness habitats, particularly the boreal forests and arctic tundra of the north, but it also occurs in montane forests and alpine tundra in the southern portions of its range. This species shows preference for high elevation and high latitude, and shows seasonal vertical migration (Hatler et al. 2008). The most important component of its habitat is snow. Based o the COSEWIC status report, "Habitats must have an adequate year-round supply of food that consists of smaller prey species, such as rodents and snowshoe hares, used more in summer, and the carcasses of larger animals, like moose and caribou, which are an important part of the winter diet."

The wolverine is a holarctic species and can be found primarily in remote reaches of the Northern boreal forests and subarctic and alpine tundra across the entire Northern Hemisphere, with the greatest numbers in the U.S. state of Alaska, northern Canada, the Nordic countries of Europe, and throughout western Russia and Siberia (Wikipedia 2011). COSEWIC (2003) provides the following discussion on declines in this species: "Wolverine range in the contiguous United States has declined with human settlement since the mid-19th century. It has been extirpated from most of its range in the northeast, Great Lakes states and high plains where it occurred at low densities and where the range limits were uncertain (deVos 1964, Hamilton and Fox 1987, Wilson 1982, Predator Conservation Alliance 2001; Figure 2). Populations in the western 6 states have suffered fragmentation and declines (Banci 1994). They may have ranged as far south as Arizona and New Mexico; however, tenuous populations currently inhabit only montane regions in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, western Montana, Wyoming and Colorado (Banci 1994). Remnant populations also exist in the southern Rockies (Colorado; Kahn and Byrne 1998) and, possibly, Michigan and Maine."

The distribution of Wolverines in British Columbia is not well known, although they occur widely and are reportedly relatively abundant in the northern two-thirds of the province (Hatler et al. 2008). There is also a centre of abundance in the Columbia Mountains in southeastern BC (Hatler et al. 2008). According to Hatler et al. (2008): "The only areas where Wolverines do not reguarly occur are the Lower Mainland, dry sections of the Fraser River and Okanagan Valleys in the southern interior, and the Queen Charlotte Islands." The last documented sighting on Vancouver Island was in 1981 (Hatler et al. 2008).

COSEWIC (2003) provides the following information on the taxonomy of the Wolverine: "The wolverine, Gulo gulo (Linnaeus, 1758), was formerly known as Gulo luscus in North America; however, New and Old World forms have been shown to be conspecific (Kurtén and Rausch 1959). Four subspecies are recognized in North America (Hall 1981), two of which occur in Canada; Gulo gulo luscus, found across Canada, Alaska and the northwestern United States, and Gulo gulo vancouverensis, found on Vancouver Island. Banci (1982) found little evidence for classifying the Vancouver Island population as a distinct subspecies; however, it has undergone a high degree of isolation since the Pleistocene, and is still recognized as a distinct subspecies (Nagorsen 1990, Resources Inventory Committee 2002). A complete study of variation throughout the species’ range has been recommended (Nagorsen 1990)."

Based on a 2003 status report, COSEWIC, the federal Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada, assigned the Wolverine a status of 'special concern. They say: "Estimated total population size exceeds 13,000 mature individuals. Declines have been reported in Alberta and parts of British Columbia and Ontario. A distinct subspecies may be extirpated from Vancouver Island. Many pelts used locally are not included in official statistics, and harvest levels may be underreported. There is no evidence, however, of a decline in harvest. There are no data on overall population trends other than those provided by local knowledge and harvest monitoring programs. This species’ habitat is increasingly fragmented by industrial activity, especially in the southern part of its range, and increased motorized access will increase harvest pressure and other disturbances. The species has a low reproductive rate and requires vast secure areas to maintain viable populations." Habitat fragmentation results from forestry, hydroelectric developments, oil and gas and mineral exploration and development, and transportation corridors (COSEWIC 2003).