Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife 4 January 2012
We are tracking the progress of OR7, the first wild gray wolf documented in California since 1924. OR7, a young male from northeastern Oregon’s Imnaha Pack, loped into California on December 31. This is historic! The last wild wolf in California, leg already missing from a trap, was killed close to home in Lassen County eighty-eight years ago. Of course whenever wolves arrive on the scene, controversy nips at their tails, and opinions are flying fast and furious already. When we lived in Missoula, Montana, all eyes were on a pack that established in the Nine Mile Valley at the edge of wilderness-urban interface outside of town. Montana author Rick Bass has written several excellent, balanced books on the politics, science, and mythology surrounding wolf recolonization in the United States, including The Nine Mile Pack, and The New Wolves.
According to wildlife officials, OR7 is looking for ladies and will not likely linger where none are to be found. Will OR7 stay, or return to its pack in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon? We will be watching!
