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STATE: Fish and Game Commission to study listing of wolf as endangered
The California Fish and Game Commission determined Wednesday that listing the gray wolf as an endangered species in the state may be warranted.
The decision opens a status review to be done over the course of the next 12 months, after which the commission could decide to list the wolf as an endangered species under state law.
“We have very little information on the history and status of wolves in California,” said Michael Sutton, vice president of the Fish & Game Commission. “Our decision today launches a year-long effort to learn more, which in turn will inform our ultimate decision whether or not to protect this iconic species under California law.”
Last December, a lone wolf known as OR7 dispersed to California from a pack in northeastern Oregon and has been in the state for most of the time since then.
Gray wolves such as OR7 are protected as an endangered species in California and elsewhere under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The petition to list wolves as an endangered species under California state law was filed in February by four environmental groups.
The Department of Fish and Game reviewed the petition and concluded it did not include adequate information to make a determination whether listing may be warranted. However, other information DFG was required by law to review did.
There has never been a scientific study of wolves in California. Although there are numerous anecdotal reports of wolves in early California, there is little direct evidence of these wolves beyond two museum specimens – one of a gray wolf and the other likely a Mexican wolf.
DFG believes it is likely the wolves were once widely distributed across California before they were extirpated by humans in the early 20th Century.
The vote was 3-0. Commissioners Dan Richards and Jim Kellogg were not present.
More information about OR7 is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/wolf/ .