ODFW Says Wolves Are Again Breeding In Oregon

WOLVES  WILDLIFE  ENVIRONMENT 

By Andrew Theen

Portland, OR  July 22, 2008 9:57 a.m.

Oregon wildlife biologists just announced  a significant discovery in the eastern part of the state. As Andrew Theen reports, wolves are reproducing here.

In the early morning hours, north of La Grande ODFW wolf coordinator Russ Morgan and a partner howled into the night.  The howling survey is one of a few techniques Morgan and others use to verify wolf activity.

Morgan admits the practice is largely unsuccessful, but not this time.  Two adult wolves responded, and Morgan said pups clearly answered the call as well.  Morgan said he knew this day would come.

Russ Morgan: "We've been howling into the darkness at nothing for a couple years.  So you can imagine our surprise when we actually got a response.  However it was not unexpected."

Washington state officials confirmed a pair of wolves reproducing earlier this month too.  Morgan said he believes in both cases the wolves most likely come from Idaho, where the wolf population is booming.

Gray wolves in Oregon are protected  under both state and federal law.

Share this article: del.icio.us digg newsvine

© 2008 OPB