Love in the Wild: Has California's Lonesome Wolf Found a Companion in Oregon?

Love in the Wild: Has California's Lonesome Wolf Found a Companion in Oregon?

According to reports from wildlife officials, it appears California’s gray wolf, known as OR-7, may have found love in southwestern Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and could be expecting pups, which would make it the first known wolf breeding in the mountains since the early 20th century, reports the San Francisco Chronicle‘s website SFGate.com.

While the information is not definitive, SFGate.com reports that several images of a black female wolf in the same area as OR-7 “along with tracking data from its collar, indicates he may have a mate,” according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Biologists will be able to confirm whether or not the couple has given birth come June.

OR-7 was first noticed towards the end of 2011 when he wandered into California after breaking away from his pack in Oregon in September of that year, making him the first documented wild wolf in the Golden State since the 1920s. His presence and travels have spurred a debate as to whether or not the gray wolf should be listed on California’s endangered species list. SFGate.com says a decision is expected this summer: the measure would prohibit the killing of gray wolves.

It is likely that OR-7 has settled in Oregon and is going to stay there with his new love and potential family, according to SFGate.com.

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