California delays decision on wolf protections

The California Fish and Game Commission on Wednesday postponed a decision on whether to afford gray wolves protection under the state’s Endangered Species Act.

Acknowledging the passion the issue generates, the commission voted unanimously to extend public comment on the matter for 90 days and will take up the issue at the next meeting in June.

The decision is in response to the arrival of a young male wolf known as OR-7 who began to range between Oregon and northern California in late 2011.

Historically, wolves ranged widely in California, but by the late 1920s were extirpated – hunted and trapped – to the point that no wolves were known to populate the state.

The California Department of Fish and Game considers OR-7 an intermittent resident of the state and tracks his movements via a radio collar.