The male wolf known as “OR7” was born in northeastern Oregon in spring 2009. He weighed approximately 90 pounds when collared with a radio transmitter by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in February 2011. He is designated "OR7" because he was the seventh wolf radio-collared in Oregon. The collar transmits location information to satellites daily and is expected to continue to function until at least 2013. In an attempt to draw attention to the success of efforts to reestablish the wolf population, Oregon Wild sponsored a kids art and naming contest. On January 4, 2012 OR7 got a new name - "Journey." (More background info here and here)
In the Fall of 2011 "Journey", the now two-year old wolf from the Imnaha Pack in Northeast Oregon, made history. After an epic journey across Oregon and into California, including time spent in the Sky Lakes Wilderness area south of Crater Lake, Journey became the first confirmed wolf west of the Cascades since 1947. You can visit the Oregon Wild website for photos, maps, and other resources related to the Wolf Recovery program.
Biologists suggest Journey is traveling in hopes of finding a mate. I hope he does, though chances are slim in the area he visited in California. Wolves really have a bad rep with lots of folks, possibly due to their size and yes, they do occasionally kill livestock, so they aren't too popular with ranchers and farmers. The links above include a lot of information, primarily in support of the wolf, and as I'm not a rancher or farmer I can't begin to speak on their views, but the controversy over wolves and the restoration project did remind me of a story my Aunt Roberta used to tell. This is from her writings about her early years in South Dakota.
In the early 1920's, in the far south east corner of South Dakota, our parents developed acreage that had been homestead land, turned back to the government when the owner never “ proved up” on it as the law required for ownership. The nearest school was a little more than 3 miles away, and the way there was mostly level except for a couple of gullies. I walked to school and no distractions except watching out for rattlesnakes. A lone wolf often traveled one of the ridges along the deepest gully. I had father’s assurance that the wolf would mind his own business and I was to keep on walking my usual route. We got along very well and it was a bit like having silent company on the long walk.
Kenai relaxing in the Portland zoo |
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