The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Dec. 17 that it will delay until next summer a decision on whether wolverines should receive more protections under the Endangered Species Act.

FWS officials said the agency will use the time to address questions about the impacts of climate change on wolverines. A decision could be made by Aug. 4.

Some scientists say wolverines face an uncertain future as high mountain snow is reduced by rising temperatures, thereby shrinking wolverine habitat.

Opponents to further protections from some western states say the wolverine population has increased in some areas.

The estimated wolverine population in the Lower 48 is 250 to 300 individuals, primarily in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington. Larger wolverine populations are found in Alaska and Canada.