Michigan's only known wild wolverine has died.

A female wolverine, first spotted in the Thumb in Feb. 24, 2004, was found dead by hikers at the Minden Bog in the Minden City State Game Area Saturday.

Todd Rann of Marysville and Morgan Graham of New Baltimore spotted what they thought was a dead beaver, partially submerged in the water near a beaver dam. Rann pulled it from the water and realized it was a wolverine. The pair called the Report All Poaching hot line. Department of Natural Resources and Environment Conservation Officers Seth Rhodea and Bob Hobkirk responded immediately and retrieved the animal.

The officers reported no visible signs of trauma.

DNRE wildlife biologist Arnie Karr, who originally verified the animal was a wolverine after it was treed by coyote hunters in 2004, said the carcass will be sent to the DNRE veterinary lab for necropsy. The department plans to have the specimen mounted and displayed, probably at the visitor center at nearby Bay City State Recreation Area., Karr said.

The animal was the first wolverine ever actually verified in Michigan. Biologists say that if wolverines were ever native to Michigan, they were extirpated about 200 years ago.

At the time of the wolverine's sighting, DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries signed an emergency order protecting the animal from harassment or harm. The animal, which has been seen, photographed and videoed by numerous people since it was discovered, was thought to be alive and well until it was discovered dead Saturday.