Presentation airs concerns of residents
By Damon Arthur
YREKA — Wolves aren’t likely to be much of a threat to Siskiyou County anytime soon, according to a wolf expert who spoke to about 150 people here Thursday.
OR-7, the only wolf that has visited Siskiyou County in decades, isn’t likely to survive long enough to mate and give wolves a toehold in the region, said Carter Niemeyer, a former wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
“My personal and professional opinion is it’s a long shot,” Niemeyer said of the chances of California’s lone wolf, OR-7, surviving long enough to start his own pack in Siskiyou County.
Siskiyou County Agricultural Commissioner Patrick Griffin said he invited Niemeyer to speak to address concerns that county residents have about wolves becoming established in the area.
Many of those who asked questions of Niemeyer during the meeting said they were concerned about how the wolf would affect livestock, deer and elk.
But Melinda Willey, of Mount Shasta, said if there is little chance OR-7 could survive in California, what’s the fuss?
“Could it be sensationalism that’s getting our community concerned about OR-7?” Willey asked.
Ruth Griffiths, of Yreka, said she was concerned that wolves would find it easier to feed on cattle then wild game such as deer and elk.
“Those cows can’t run like the deer and the elk can,” Griffith said.
Although Niemeyer said wolves seldom kill cattle and pose almost no risk to humans, Griffiths said the presentation did not ease her fears.
Originally from northeast Oregon, OR-7 first showed up in Siskiyou County in December, and since then has traveled into Shasta, Siskiyou and Lassen counties.He is currently in Modoc County, according to the state Department of Fish and Game.
Grace Bennett, chairwoman of the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, said she wanted to hear from Niemeyer as part of the board’s research into a proposed ordinance that would outlaw wolves.
Bennett said Niemeyer’s presentation was useful to her and that she can use the information to help make decisions about wolves.
“I think it was very informative,” she said. “There’s a lot of fear connected with the wolf coming back.”
The Siskiyou Pomona Grange asked the board to consider an ordinance that would forbid wolves from living in the county.
The proposed ordinance would allow them to be killed. The board voted Tuesday to study such an ordinance.
Niemeyer said he often speaks to groups about wolves and the animals are usually controversial wherever they live. He only wanted to present facts about wolves.
“I’m not going to stand up here and defend wolves,” Niemeyer said, adding that he was neither pro- or anti-wolf. “I’m pro-truth.”
In Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, where there are more than 1,700 wolves, controversy still rages over wolves, he said.
He said he didn’t have all the answers on the animals.
“I didn’t come here with fabulous solutions for people in this state,” he said. “You are going to have to work it out.”