Wildlife experts still are not sure how the wolverine came to Michigan, but we do know for the next few months its home will be in Bay County.
Students from St. Thomas Aquinas in Saginaw Township visit the Bay City State Recreation Area every year, but Wednesday youngsters got a chance to see something rare.
"It's cool to have it here and I did not think a tail could be that big on a wolverine," said Josh Kuligowski of Saginaw Township.
The wolverine was first spotted in the Thumb Area in 2004. Years later a wildlife enthusiast captured it on video in the woods, and last March, the 9-year-old female was found dead of natural causes along a trail in Sanilac County.
A taxidermist prepared the wolverine for the display -- a display that's packing them in.
"It's been really overwhelming," said Bay City State Recreation Area Valerie Braschka. "We've had over 600 people in here the last four days."
And Blaschka says many of those people have had a reaction.
"They thought it was bigger," she said. "'Isn't it supposed to be bigger?' You know, they are really amazed that this little guy is ferocious as a grizzly bear."
The display is not just a hit with the elementary students.
"This is incredible," said Dennis Schwartz of Bay County.
Schwartz lives just down the road from the state park.
"Wolverine State," he said. "I have my hat on, but we don't have any wolverines, so the only one I can see is here."
The wolverine will most likely be on display for a few months before it gets a permanent home. Everyone is welcome, no matter how you're dressed.
After its stay in Bay County, Braschka says she believes a permanent display will be built in Lansing.
