Wolves back in California after almost a century

This video from the USA says about itself:

20 August 2015

Wildlife officials in California say they have photographic evidence of the first gray wolf pack in the state in nearly a century. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured images of two black-furred gray wolf adults and five pups in northern California. Other than a lone wolf spotted in 2011, official say the so-called Shasta Pack are the first confirmed wolves in the state since 1924. Trail cameras recorded individual images of the two adults, as well as one photo of the pups, which appear to be a few months old. Wolves used to be seen regularly in California, but they are now considered endangered by both the state and federal government.

From daily The Independent in Britain:

First wolf pack found in California in nearly a century

Fears hunters may kill newly discovered canine group

Siobhan Fenton

Friday 21 August 2015

A wolf pack has been spotted in California for the first time in nearly a century.

Two adults and five pups have been confirmed in southeastern Siskiyou County. Local ranchers tending to their herds told authorities they had spotted the animals.

State and federal authorities subsequently confirmed the sightings after a remote camera captured photos of the pack.

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The state’s grey wolf population became extinct in 1924. They were named the Shasta pack, after the nearby Mount Shasta.

Karen Kovacs, from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said she was stunned by the news of the wolves’ return. She believes they have most likely migrated from Oregon’s north-eastern corner.

It is hoped DNA tests might be able to give a more accurate understanding of the animals’ backgrounds.

The canines are protected by federal and state endangered species legislation but Amaroq Weiss, from the Centre for Biological Diversity, said local conservationists are concerned the wolves could still fall victim to hunters as hunting season gets underway in the area.