California gray wolves will now retain their protected status even if the population rises to 50 or more:
The California gray wolves will keep their endangered species protections even once the rebounding animal hits a population of at least 50, state wildlife officials said Wednesday.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife published its plan for managing wolves late Tuesday, setting its policy for the species that is making a comeback to the state after it was killed off in the 1920s.
"Wolves returning to the state was inevitable," said Charlton Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in a statement. "It's an exciting ecological story, and this plan represents the path forward to manage wolves."
The plan marks a shift in course, dropping language from an earlier draft that directed officials to remove wolves from the list of animals protected once they reached the critical mass.
Wolves in California were hunted to extinction nearly a century ago, but a lone wolf called OR-7 crossed the northern border from Oregon in 2011. OR-7 and his mate have had a litter for each of the last three years, and cameras caught another family pack in Northern California, but it hasn't been spotted in several months, wildlife advocates say. Officials say it's hard to say how many wolves roam the state today, but their numbers remain small.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 08 2016, @10:20PM
There are people who can't run like a greyhound and fight like a cape buffalo. Are they just supposed to die? Wolves and coyotes know not to eat the walker, oxygen tank, adult diapers, and glasses.
(Score: 2) by Sulla on Tuesday December 13 2016, @01:25AM
Not saying I agree with it, just trying to explain their reasoning behind it.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam