Increased sightings of the endangered Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf in northeastern Oregon suggest to wildlife biologists that the animals have begun a migration from Idaho that could spread to Washington by the summer.
But state wildlife biologist Mark Kirsch isn't prepared to call the wolves a pack yet, the East Oregonian reports. Kirsch says it's unclear what kind of "social formation" the wolves are in.
While single wolves have entered Oregon and left, Kirsch says this group of wolves apparently will stay.
Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves have federal and state endangered species protection. There have been no efforts to reintroduce wolves in Oregon after people killed the animal off about 80 years ago.
Kirsch says the migration from Idaho is natural, and not a result of habitat loss.
But state wildlife biologist Mark Kirsch isn't prepared to call the wolves a pack yet, the East Oregonian reports. Kirsch says it's unclear what kind of "social formation" the wolves are in.
While single wolves have entered Oregon and left, Kirsch says this group of wolves apparently will stay.
Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves have federal and state endangered species protection. There have been no efforts to reintroduce wolves in Oregon after people killed the animal off about 80 years ago.
Kirsch says the migration from Idaho is natural, and not a result of habitat loss.
