The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is an intrepid and solitary carnivore, historically ranging throughout North America’s most rugged and remote regions. However, human persecution decimated their populations, and it seemed that wolverines might disappear from much of their wild homeland. Today, they are recovering in the contiguous U.S. and sightings of the elusive gulo are becoming more frequent among backcountry skiers who visit the West’s most remote mountain ranges.

“Finding Gulo” follows Steph Williams, a ski guide and field biologist as she works with wildlife photographer Dave Moskowitz to capture images and data of a recovering population of wolverines near her home in the North Cascades of Washington State. Steph is on a mission to prove that citizen science can be a critical tool to protect endangered wildlife. As a backcountry skier, Steph has long been concerned about the impacts of climate change, but as her connection deepens with gulo, so does her commitment to grassroots stewardship.

a film by // The Wilder Studio & Wild Confluence Media directed & shot by // Colin Arisman & Tyler Wilkinson-Ray

edit // Chris Cresci post sound // Ridgeline Sound motion graphics // Luke Kantola color // Alice Scherbak music licensing // Marmoset original song // Aled Roberts

awards & festivals // Vimeo Staff Pick, Short of the Week, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Banff Mountain Film Festival, Backcountry Film Tour, No Man’s Land Film Festival, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, EarthxFilm Festival, Wasatch Mountain Film Festival, International Wildlife Film Festival, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival