The alpha-female of the solitary Californian wolf pack, Lassen Pack, has emerged with 5 new pups on the east side of Lassen National Park. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife was able to trap her and give her a new tracking collar, for the one she was wearing, had run out of battery back in November. It was unknown if the female wolf was still alive at all or the breeding male. But the CDFW camera footage confirms that the pack is still rolling.
This is the only pack in California and is a descendant of OR-7, the famous male wolf who ventured into California from Southern Oregon in 2011. He was the first known wolf in California since 1924.
The jaunt from Oregon is quite moderate for a wolf. OR-54, a daughter of OR-7 also left Oregon in 2018 to head for Northern California. In two years she covered a minimum distance of 8,712 miles at an average of 13 miles/day. She spent most of her time in California but also returned to Oregon three times. She had fourteen 40 mile days and five 50 miles days.
Nature lovers and preservationists rejoice at the new pups, but not all parties are pleased. Remote ranchers are unhappy with predators roaming around their livestock and personal property. However, there are strict laws prohibiting the killing of wolves in California. In 2015, the Shasta Pack vanished suddenly in Siskiyou County. Authorities are investigating it as murder; and the killing of a wolf can earn years in prison.
excited to see people start loosing dogs, cats and children to the reintroduction of wolves to the west. go conversationalists
@Anonymous, you think wolves are the only thing that will get your pets or even children? We already have coyotes and mountain lions. Stop the fear mongering.
I’d be more worried about the weirdos shooting people for no reason in the woods and getting away with it, like what happened 5 days ago in Downieville.
With your logic, we better kill all the sharks while we’re at it so Timmy can splash in 6 inches of water……..
What a ridiculous thing to say. We make ourselves safe and aware when living with bear and mountain lion, why can’t we do the same with wolves?
OR-7 was a male, not a female.
Thanks for the correction David, the article has been updated. Cheers. — Martin
You are welcome, Martin, and thank you.