Hunting gray wolves is now prohibited in California. [Press Herald]
The California Fish and Game Commission voted 3-1 last week to deem gray wolves an endangered species. Gray wolves had nearly disappeared from California but are now expected to grow in population because an Oregon wolf recently fathered pups within 50 miles of the state line.
Gray wolves have long irked cattle ranchers as they have a history of killing livestock. Recently, the wolves have preyed on many cattle in Idaho and Montana, prompting aggressive hunting programs to ward them off.
In the early 1900s, gray wolves suffered widespread extinction after they endured nationwide bounty hunting and poisoning. The endangered species designation will now require fish and game officials to work to enhance and restore the animal’s population.
