Gray Wolf Returns to Oregon
Radio-collared wolf from Idaho confirmed in northeast Oregon
BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The La Grande Field
Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) confirmed Thursday that
a female gray wolf from the Boise, Idaho area is now making her home in
northeastern Oregon.
Wolves were native to Oregon, and thrived there until sometime in the
1930s when they were eradicated from the state. Today’s announcement is an
important sign that gray wolves are successfully returning to their
historic habitat in Oregon.
The following is a statement from Suzanne Stone, northern Rockies wolf
conservation specialist for Defenders of Wildlife:
“This wolf comes from the Timberline pack, which we here in Boise know
very well — it was named after our own Timberline High School. She made
quite a journey and she has chosen excellent habitat in which to make her
home. Northeast Oregon is one of the places where we always expected wolves
would someday return.
“Unfortunately, this great news comes on the same day that the FWS has
announced new rules that make it easier for wolves to be killed by private
citizens. Those rules threaten the very population of Idaho wolves that
provided Oregon’s new wolf, and could undermine the gray wolf’s ability to
recolonize more of its historic habitat.
“We always hoped this day would come, and we’re thrilled that it is
finally here. We look forward to working with biologists, tribal leaders
and ranchers to ensure the future of wolves in Oregon and across the
region.”