By Geoff Norcross
OPB
September 9, 2013
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says the wandering gray wolf (click on wolf picture to hear audio report) has spent the summer in Southeast Jackson County and Southwest Klamath County.
“What that tells you is, I think, he’s found some good habitat,” says Michelle Dennehy, Wildlife Communications Coordinator for ODFW.
It’s a rare bit of stability for a wolf whose travels have caught the imagination of at least two states. In September of 2011, OR-7 left the Imnaha Pack in Northeast Oregon and wandered hundreds of miles across the Cascades, becoming the first confirmed wolf sighted west of the mountains since 1937. He’s been roaming around Southern Oregon and Northern California ever since.
Officials believe OR-7 came to the region to find a mate. There’s no evidence he’s been successful. But he’s young – nearly 3.5 years old – and he may not be alone.
Dennehy says, “Where there’s one wolf, there’s another.”
“Of course, everyone would like to see OR-7 mate,” she says. “And you know what? It could happen.”
I hope his whereabouts is always kept secret – it only takes one nut with a gun and too much spare time to do a LOT of damage.
Julie, you are soooo right. There are some people out there who have zero respect for these magnificent animals and it is even rumored that they have an "in" with certain wildlife agencies who may have given locations away when searching by helicopter for wolves to collar. Again, I repeat "rumor" though it makes one wonder why there is NO harsh penalty imposed when collared wolves are killed by hunters. They are practically giving the coordinates of OR-7's location and that is seriously flawed.
i agree. i hope his whereabouts are kept secret so he may thrive 🙂
I agree I wish his location is kept secret, for if something would happen to him nothing would be done about, I have zero faith in officials who are supposed to protect these animals. The ranchers seem to have all the conections the government and with that comes all the rights are on their side. May or-7 and a wonerful life Oregon is the best state for him and California too.