"This finding is also significant as it marks the 9th current pack in California, and the 10th in modern times since wolves began recolonizing CA in the 2010s," said Axel Hunnicutt. "As this group was found to have pups, we will be working to monitor their survival into the new year as this will help quantify the recovery of the state's wolf population."
"The pack is not necessarily living within the national park because wolf territories can be vast, but the group could be utilizing portions of the park," said Hunnicutt.
The gray wolf is a recovering endangered species protected under California and federal law. The native species was eradicated in California in the 1920s and was gone for nearly a century until wolves dispersed from packs in other states and returned to California.
California Wolf Watch shared information about the pack on Facebook, and several people celebrated the discovery in the comments. "Yay!! We needed this shot of hope," someone said.
Collection
[
|
...
]