Gray Wolf Enters California
Field Notes from Plant Explorations has never relayed news; but I think this news is more than blog-worthy for many reasons. The first is that this is an uplifting story about the wild in nature being wild. This wolf has traveled hundreds of miles from his 'homeland' crossing roads, ranches, wilderness and now political borders—and he has done it alone. More importantly, because of the breadth of urban and rural sprawl, people are playing a role in allowing this adventurous soul room to roam. We as a culture are, on a level I don't think we yet understand, developing new found compassion for the previously demonized big-bad-wolf. I think we are learning that wild is important and if we can share 'our' world—without some hollywoodized fear of being eaten—then the world might be a better place. Finally, I think this wakens the primordial howl deep in our souls. Human and dog have evolved together—from wolf origins—for over ten thousand years. Some time ago our ancestors sat around an idealized campfire munching on caribou meat sharing some of the scraps with those at the edge of the fire's glow, whose luminous tapetum lucidum suggested a longing for companionship. While this should ultimately not be about us in some way it needs to be for OR7, and others, to be allowed to wander again.
A primordial relationship has returned to the Klamath Mountains. I can only dream OR7 will be joined by a few friends, howl with joy at the vast wilderness, and dance with the elk for a long time to come. May this visit be more than fleeting...
A gray wolf (not OR7) Photo by John and Karen Hollingsworth-USFWS.
A primordial relationship has returned to the Klamath Mountains. I can only dream OR7 will be joined by a few friends, howl with joy at the vast wilderness, and dance with the elk for a long time to come. May this visit be more than fleeting...
A gray wolf (not OR7) Photo by John and Karen Hollingsworth-USFWS.
- Read more from the DFG news blog
- OR7's path through 1/11/2012
Nicely put, Michael. How amazing it would be if wolves became established again in the Cascades and Klamath-Siskiyous.
Reply to this