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Posted by: thepinetree on 03/19/2021 12:21 PM Updated by: thepinetree on 03/19/2021 02:58 PM
Expires: 01/01/2026 12:00 AM
:

Oregon Wolf Makes Historic Journey to California, Raising Conservation Hopes ~ Olivia Rosane

Sacramento, CA...An Oregon-born wolf named OR-93 has sparked conservation hopes with a historic journey into California.  A young male, OR-93 traveled hundreds of miles from an area southeast of Mount Hood, Oregon, to California's central Sierra Nevada mountain range, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced Friday. The agency said he traveled farther south into California than any previous collared wolf. His trek is also the longest tracked journey of any gray wolf during the last century, The Guardian reported.


OR-93 traveled hundreds of miles from Oregon to California. Austin Smith Jr. / Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs / California Department of Fish and Wildlife



"OR-93's historic trek so far south into California's central Sierra Nevada is thrilling news for wolf recovery throughout the West – and underscores that species recovery is not isolated to separate states; what happens in the Northwest greatly affects the success of wolves in other states, and vice versa," California Program Director at Defenders of Wildlife Pamela Flick said in a statement emailed to EcoWatch.

OR-93 hails from Oregon's White River pack, according to the CDFW. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs fitted him with a tracking collar in June 2020 within his home territory. At some point he left the area, likely in search of new territory and a mate. He reached California's Modoc County by the beginning of February; by the end of the month, he had traveled to Alpine County, between trans-Sierra State Highways 4 and 108. He then passed into Mono County. This put him just east of Yosemite National Park and marks the first time a wolf has been known to approach the park in more than 100 years, The Associated Press reported.

The wolf is the 16th one to travel into California, and most have hailed from Oregon. However, this journey is notable from a conservation standpoint for two reasons. For starters, OR-93 is the first wolf from the White River pack to enter the state, which is important for the population's diversity.




"As the first known member of the White River Pack from western Oregon to disperse into California, OR-93 also importantly brings the potential for increased genetic diversity to our state," Flick said. "We look forward to watching the journey of California's newest wolf, and we will continue to welcome gray wolves back to their historical home in the Golden State."

OR-93's epic journey also places him in a habitat with enormous potential for wolves.

"We're thrilled to learn this wolf is exploring deep into the Sierra Nevada, since scientists have said all along this is great wolf habitat," Amaroq Weiss, senior West Coast wolf advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), said in an email to EcoWatch. "He's another beacon of hope, showing that wolves can return here and flourish as long as they remain legally protected."

California's wolves were eradicated in the early 20th century following a concerted campaign by the livestock industry. The first wolf to return to the state in 2011 included another Oregon wolf, named OR-7. There are now fewer than a dozen wolves living in California, including the Lassen pack, which has produced pups every year between 2017 and 2020, according to CDFW. Another pair of wolves has also been spotted in Siskiyou County, and scientists think they will produce pups this spring.




While the Trump administration removed federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves, they remain listed as an endangered species within California. CDFW Spokeswoman Jordan Traverso told the San Francisco Chronicle that OR-93's incredible journey proved the protections were working.

"We have a burgeoning population," she told the Chronicle. "It's exciting."

However, not everyone shares her excitement. The presence of wolves in the state has concerned ranchers.

"There are diverse constituencies with varying viewpoints — we do our best to walk that tight rope," Traverso told the San Francisco Chronicle.

There have been some wobbles on that walk. The seven-member Shasta pack, the first wolf pack to be discovered in California in almost 100 years, disappeared months after being found in 2015, the CBD said. The disappearance followed the pack's implication in two livestock casualties, and there are concerns they may have been poached.

Defenders of Wildlife called for more strategies to reduce livestock and wolf conflicts as wolves' California presence increases. Meanwhile, OR-93's success in the state will likely depend on more personal matters.

"Given the time of year, we assume OR-93 has traveled such a long way in search of a mate," CBD's Weiss said. "I hope he can find one."




Comments - Make a comment
The comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for its content. We value free speech but remember this is a public forum and we hope that people would use common sense and decency. If you see an offensive comment please email us at news@thepinetree.net
No Subject
Posted on: 2021-03-19 12:34:31   By: Anonymous
 
Super cool

[Reply ]

    Re:
    Posted on: 2021-03-19 12:53:20   By: Anonymous
     
    It sure is, but like the other ones....just too many Aholes around to give this guy a chance.

    [Reply ]

      Re:
      Posted on: 2021-03-19 13:29:04   By: Anonymous
       
      You bet. Without a doubt there are more than a few special case ranchers, like the Bundys, out there with the god given right to shoot a few 30-30s into that beautiful animals hide.

      [Reply ]

        Re:
        Posted on: 2021-03-19 14:37:38   By: Anonymous
         
        where again does it say that the wolves are allowed to eat my personal property (livestock) with no reimbursement. I also haven't seen anywhere in the USFWS book stating that ranchers are required to house or feed these "beautiful" creatures. Funny because if the public land is so fantastic they are always coming onto private property to eat. I say let them loose in Golden Gate park. Let the urban population see how beautiful they are up close.

        [Reply ]

          Re: Wolves
          Posted on: 2021-03-19 16:45:37   By: Anonymous
           
          Cattle aren't always on private land. On many a backpack trip I have run into "Range Cattle" in both National Forest areas and designated wilderness areas, I have seen them in both the Carson Iceberg and the Mokelumne Wilderness areas.

          [Reply ]

            Re: Wolves
            Posted on: 2021-03-21 14:50:47   By: Anonymous
             
            yes, and the owner of those cows pays to have them there and guess what....the rancher still owns them. Would you be ok with a random hiker on the PCT just shoot one and take it....basically what a wolf/lion/bear does. Why is it that the management of these animals is always hands off until something already happens to them. You want to play "GOD" and start reintroducing species that are extinct you better have your ducks in a row to manage them from sun up to sun down. They are just like a *bleep*ty dog owner who lets their dogs just run around un leashed and not a care in the world....but when they attack livestock and the rancher dispatches them, boy howdy they are pissed and wonder why because their dog is so well behaved ...blah blah blah. USFWS is about the same level. 100% admiration but 0% management. A JOKE.

            [Reply ]

              Re: Wolves
              Posted on: 2021-03-21 16:29:59   By: Anonymous
               
              So.....what?

              [Reply ]

    Re:
    Posted on: 2021-03-19 21:49:43   By: Anonymous
     
    As usual, the cidiots want to move up to the mountains and tell us how to live our lives, after they have destroyed the Bay Area with their liberal policies.

    [Reply ]

No Subject
Posted on: 2021-03-19 13:07:35   By: Anonymous
 
I have seen two in the last several years. I live within a Calaveras townsite where many have small pets in their yards. Both were after my small farm livestock in the early mornings. I'm installing tall fencing and hot wires but know many others are losing, and are going to lose their pets. The state is greatly populated with most having pets that are loved and should be able to live in their home yards safely.

I think it is irresponsible to not place and manage them in areas such as Yosemite. Allowing them to spread wherever I fear will just have them hanging all around the populated areas for the easy caught small pet animals. That very thing is already happening to me.

[Reply ]

    Re:
    Posted on: 2021-03-19 13:49:27   By: Anonymous
     
    Hey Homer. You live in an area that interfaces with the wild, and it's animals. Your domestic animals are simply part of the food chain out here. Try as we may, the wild will raid our garbage cans, eat our gardens, and our domestic animals. The solution is to protect the things we love, the best we can. Sometimes that's going to work, sometimes not. If you can't accept the loss of a dear pet now and then, time to move back to the city.

    [Reply ]

      Re:
      Posted on: 2021-03-19 14:01:47   By: Anonymous
       
      6th generation Calaveras County Native you are talking to. I know fully well how to deal with it. I could have easily shot them, they did not have tracking collars. Which should tell everyone there are far more here already than the officials want us to know. When they come over or under my fencing and endanger my family and our livelihood I have full legal right to defend my property and life.


      [Reply ]

        Re:
        Posted on: 2021-03-19 15:24:17   By: Anonymous
         
        You're life? Are you honestly going to wet your whatever, and shoot a wolf because you're fraid it will kill you? Give me a break. Big tough 6th gen blank.

        [Reply ]

        Re:
        Posted on: 2021-03-19 20:43:43   By: Anonymous
         
        6th?? Whoop de freaking do!

        [Reply ]

          Re:
          Posted on: 2021-03-20 05:14:15   By: Anonymous
           
          6th generation.....

          HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

          [Reply ]

        Re:
        Posted on: 2021-03-19 20:44:49   By: Anonymous
         
        So your four fathers came here and took Indian lands? Mexican lands? You ain't no native dude.

        [Reply ]

          Re:
          Posted on: 2021-03-20 06:54:42   By: Anonymous
           
          I say we ground check him. Test his brain for same disease all the demented democrats have. And the person that says they have come across two wolves around this county. I call BS. Bet you go snipe hunting as well. LOL. These coyotes can get pretty big up here in the hills eating those over fed city cats roaming in the wild.

          [Reply ]

      Re:
      Posted on: 2021-03-19 14:15:54   By: Anonymous
       
      It's people like you who call us natives Homer that need to go. For years you sat in the city voting and making decisions that are bad for the largest areas of the state that are rural. Rural areas you knew nothing about. You are the cause of our wildfires, saving every tree and closing all the lumber mills. Now you move into those trees with your large home and power lines. Returning wolves to overpopulated California should have been voted on by the rural areas of the state only. This wolf agenda is just another corrupt one by the very city people who will not dealing with the very decisions they force on others.

      [Reply ]

No Subject
Posted on: 2021-03-19 14:49:36   By: Anonymous
 
Concerned for him that he’s now been tracked to Tuolomne County again as of yesterday. Too many with a gun won’t care about his status.

[Reply ]

    Re:
    Posted on: 2021-03-19 14:53:10   By: Anonymous
     
    With that mentality. All guns should be band . Permanently

    [Reply ]

      Re:
      Posted on: 2021-03-19 14:55:49   By: Anonymous
       
      Real Americans are so sick and tired of you gun toting republican a wipes

      [Reply ]

        Re:
        Posted on: 2021-03-19 15:03:37   By: Anonymous
         
        Please stay in Commiefornia.

        You pukes have already destroyed the state and are now leaving in droves bringing your blue mentality with you.

        Remember, When seconds count, police are minutes away".

        [Reply ]

          Re:
          Posted on: 2021-03-19 15:15:43   By: Anonymous
           
          We need police protection from you idiots

          [Reply ]

            Re:
            Posted on: 2021-03-19 17:06:52   By: Anonymous
             
            THESE WELFARE RANCHER CRYING AGAIN AND AGAIN. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE GOVERNMENT HANDOUTS THEY WOULD BE OUT OF BUSINESS. SAVE A WOLF AND STOP THE COWBOY PORK BELLY FUNDS!

            [Reply ]

            Re:
            Posted on: 2021-03-19 22:23:25   By: Anonymous
             
            I thought you city puffys wanted to defund the police?

            [Reply ]

            Re:
            Posted on: 2021-03-20 09:19:08   By: Anonymous
             
            No thanks. I'll protect myself. You're the idiot if you think the cops are gonna protect you. The courts have ruled the police of no obligation to protect you.

            However, the Sheriff and his deputies do what they can, and I thank them.

            [Reply ]

Beautiful baby!!
Posted on: 2021-03-19 17:08:04   By: Anonymous
 
Beautiful baby!!

[Reply ]

    Re: Beautiful baby!!
    Posted on: 2021-03-21 06:29:40   By: Anonymous
     
    Agree on the beautiful part, but

    This is a 100 + pound wild animal that is a predator. No an anthropomorphized domestic puppy.

    The politics of reinstating megafauna to North America is a great debate.

    On one hand you have open range western ranchers who are mostly opposed as they graze tracts of public land that cannot be fenced and depredation is guaranteed.

    A large portion of conservative voters will fall into this category, they feel a solidarity with rural America ( even if they are in no way impacted or even spend time on public lands.)

    Conversely the liberal block feels a draw to reintroduce megafauna to lands. Possibly as a away to counter destructive projects ( mining, resource extraction ) or just as a symbol of our wild native environment.

    Can be hard for people to shift their view as they have economic impacts as the priority.


    I’m all for a limited introduction ( like Yellowstone ) having Megas protected in a game reserve while allowing harvesting outside the reserve.

    In the timber belt of central Sierra (4K-7k elevation ) it’s actually a good habitat ; few people limited grazing .. the problem is these animals can as demonstrated walk thousands of miles to find new territory and mates.



    [Reply ]

More to Come
Posted on: 2021-03-20 06:50:30   By: Anonymous
 
As the Earth poles shift, so do the animals. Happening all over the world.

Or

He is getting FAR away from Mt. Hood as its moving and filling, about to blow.

[Reply ]

    Re: More to Come
    Posted on: 2021-03-20 08:42:29   By: Anonymous
     
    That’s great , do they taste like chicken?

    [Reply ]

      Re: More to Come
      Posted on: 2021-03-20 09:06:57   By: Anonymous
       
      Wolves and Grizzly Bears were eradicated for a reason. Unlike the Bison, that were only killed because of greed.
      Mountain Lions, wolves, and Grizzly Bears cannot co exist with large populations of humans.
      It's possible in Alaska, only because of the vast amount of land.

      [Reply ]

        Re: More to Come
        Posted on: 2021-03-20 10:56:57   By: Anonymous
         
        Ground check him. See if he’s running around with Joeys collar.

        [Reply ]


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