Feather Publishing

The California Fish and Game Commission determined Wednesday that listing the gray wolf as an endangered species in the state may be warranted and declared it a candidate for future listing consideration.

The decision opens a status review to be done over the course of the next 12 months, after which the Commission could decide to list the wolf as an endangered species under state law.

“We have very little information on the history and status of wolves in California,” said Michael Sutton, Vice President of the Fish & Game Commission.  “Our decision today launches a year-long effort to learn more, which in turn will inform our ultimate decision whether or not to protect this iconic species under California law.”

Last December, a lone wolf known as OR7 dispersed to California from a pack in northeastern Oregon and has been in the state for most of the time since then. OR7 has been in western Plumas County since early July except for a few quick excursions across county lines into Butte or Tehama Counties.

Gray wolves such as OR7 are protected as an endangered species in California under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The petition to list wolves as an endangered species under California state law was filed in February by four environmental groups. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reviewed the petition and other relevant information and recommended the commission make a finding that a listing may be warranted.

There has never been a scientific study conducted on wolves in California. And although there are numerous anecdotal reports of wolves in early California, there is little direct evidence of these wolves beyond two museum specimens – one of a gray wolf and the other likely a Mexican wolf.

DFG believes it is likely the wolves were once widely distributed across California before they were extirpated by humans in the early 20^th Century.

The vote was 3-0. Commissioners Dan Richards and Jim Kellogg were not present.

More information about OR7 is available here: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/wolf/

Comments  

 

+3#1RE: Threatened species protection may be warranted for the gray wolf — LarryB2012-10-06 08:05

The animal in the pic looks more like a coyote to me.

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+1#2Wolves r beautiful, docile creatures!! — Cathy Michalak2012-10-06 10:14

We would exist with the wolves up in the Catskill Mts. where I grew up. They would pop out of the woods sometimes near my friend & I & our 2 dogs. They would not growl or try to fight with our dogs.. Thank You Calif. for deciding to protect them I know that they live peacefully among others.

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+3#3RE: Threatened species protection may be warranted for the gray wolf — LarryB2012-10-07 07:25

Hey Cathy!
Have you ever seen a pack of wolves attack a deer? You won't think they're "docile" then.

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+8#4RE: Threatened species protection may be warranted for the gray wolf — Roger Jensen2012-10-07 16:49

We need to secede from Calif. and finally form the State of Jefferson. The amount of new bills written the idiot legislators and then signed by Moonbeam is insane. The boards like CARB & the DFG Commission are a bite in the rear.

State of Jefferson
www.jeffersonstate.com/

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0#5RE: Threatened species protection may be warranted for the gray wolf — J. Miller2012-10-09 09:28

there has never been a recorded attack on a human, by wolves in the USA - never - I enjoy the idea of them thinning out the deer, too, there are way too many of those overgrown rats destroying property - wolves are no danger to us, as long as we don't wear fur coats and antler-hats, anyway

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+1#6Huh? — Alaska2012-10-09 15:11

I guess Mr. Miller doesn't consider Alaska to be a part of the USA. There has been a confirmed wolf killing of a human as recently as two years ago.

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+1#7RE: Threatened species protection may be warranted for the gray wolf — JL2012-10-10 14:19

Watch The Crying Wolf Documentary"
It explains it all....and it is frightening to see what is behind all this!
youtu.be/X52Vbn024Ig

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