By Kevin Dickinson
Yreka
On Dec 4, someone reported seeing two wolves crossing Oberlin Road in Yreka.
The Yreka Police Department investigated, and what they found were wolf-husky hybrids, according to Chief Brian Bowles.
While wolves may not yet call Siskiyou County home, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is planning for the day that the controversial animals may one day migrate permanently to the Golden State.
“The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has no plans to introduce gray wolves into California,” said Karen Kovacs, wildlife program manager for CDFW’s northern region.
To be more specific, Kovacs noted that this lack of plan extends to the entire species canis lupus, so subspecies – including the Mexican gray wolf – will not be making their way into California as part of any organized effort either.
“Today, we have no wolves that we are aware of or have confirmed,” Kovacs said.
However, with wolf populations becoming more established in the surrounding Western states, the CDFW is preparing proactive measures should a pack ever migrate into the state.
According to Kovacs, the Fish and Game Commission will be considering a petition to list gray wolves under the California Endangered Species Act.
She said discussion is scheduled for the commission’s February meeting in Sacramento but added that plans could change between then and now.
Whenever that discussion finds its way into a meeting, Kovacs said, the public would be provided an opportunity to voice its opinions and concerns.
The CDFW has also put together a Federal/State Coordination Plan for possible gray wolf activity in the state.
The plan states it is “not a gray wolf management plan or a gray wolf recovery plan;” instead, it is “to prepare for a coordinated and effective response to possible situations involving a wolf.”
These actions include responses to investigating reports of wolf activity, a dead wolf, a captured or injured wolf, and wolf-caused depredation to livestock or other animals.
In the case of livestock depredation, the plan lists the steps to be taken by Wildlife Services, as well as actions that can be taken by the reporter to maintain evidence, such as placing a tarp over the carcass and covering tracks and scat on scene.
“These folks are very experienced in determining cause and type of death,” Kovacs said.
No method of reimbursement for livestock depredation resulting from wolf attacks exists in California, Kovacs said.
In April 2012, CDFW also organized the California Gray Wolf Stakeholder Group.
Kovacs said the group counted among its representatives sportsmen, agriculturists and environmentalist, among others.
The group’s goal is to maintain engagement with the various stakeholders to collect information and secure adequate funding in the preparation of a management plan, as noted on CDFW’s website.