CALIFORNIA WOLF ON THE MOVE
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:25 pmLooks like he's back! Impressive animal, I like his penchant for pushing the limits:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PORTLAND, ORE.
The Oregon-born wolf looking for a mate in the wilds of Northern California has moved to lower ground as winter approaches.
California Department of Fish and Game program manager Karen Kovacs told The Oregonian winter storms lashing the high country south of Lassen Peak have forced deer to lower elevations, and the wolf known as OR-7 has followed.
His satellite-tracking collar has shown him in oakchaparral woodlands east of Red Bluff in Northern California. Kovacs said this is his first foray into that kind of habitat.
The wolf gained celebrity after leaving its home ground in northeastern Oregon more than a year ago and journeying hundreds of miles across eastern Oregon, down the Cascade Range to Northern California in search of a mate. Shortly after he left, the state put a death sentence on two members of his pack for killing cattle, but that has been held up by a lawsuit brought by conservation groups.
He has managed to stay out of trouble and nearly out of sight. People have spotted him or his tracks a few times. Kovacs estimated OR-7 weighs 100 to 110 pounds, with paws measuring 5-by-5 inches. “He is feeding well, he is able to travel well,” said Kovacs. He has the distinction of being the only known wolf in California in nearly a century. When OR-7 crossed into California a year ago, Oregon had counted 29 wolves within state boundaries. That number has grown to 54 with a count of 25 pups.
While in California, OR-7 switched from his normal prey of elk to deer, which are more available. He has not crossed major highways and has turned back several times when he came close to Interstate 5. He swam across the Klamath River several times, Kovacs said. At 3½ years, the wolf is past the midpoint of a lifetime that normally spans five to seven years in the wild.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PORTLAND, ORE.
The Oregon-born wolf looking for a mate in the wilds of Northern California has moved to lower ground as winter approaches.
California Department of Fish and Game program manager Karen Kovacs told The Oregonian winter storms lashing the high country south of Lassen Peak have forced deer to lower elevations, and the wolf known as OR-7 has followed.
His satellite-tracking collar has shown him in oakchaparral woodlands east of Red Bluff in Northern California. Kovacs said this is his first foray into that kind of habitat.
The wolf gained celebrity after leaving its home ground in northeastern Oregon more than a year ago and journeying hundreds of miles across eastern Oregon, down the Cascade Range to Northern California in search of a mate. Shortly after he left, the state put a death sentence on two members of his pack for killing cattle, but that has been held up by a lawsuit brought by conservation groups.
He has managed to stay out of trouble and nearly out of sight. People have spotted him or his tracks a few times. Kovacs estimated OR-7 weighs 100 to 110 pounds, with paws measuring 5-by-5 inches. “He is feeding well, he is able to travel well,” said Kovacs. He has the distinction of being the only known wolf in California in nearly a century. When OR-7 crossed into California a year ago, Oregon had counted 29 wolves within state boundaries. That number has grown to 54 with a count of 25 pups.
While in California, OR-7 switched from his normal prey of elk to deer, which are more available. He has not crossed major highways and has turned back several times when he came close to Interstate 5. He swam across the Klamath River several times, Kovacs said. At 3½ years, the wolf is past the midpoint of a lifetime that normally spans five to seven years in the wild.
I already promoted you and Ishi above, but you were more concise. 