A 2 year-old Gray Wolf from Oregon, known as OR-93, has now moved into Monterey county from San Benito county. Although the species is native to California, this is the furthest south a Gray Wolf has been seen since the 1920s. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says that while a lone wolf poses more risk to rabbits, rodents and possibly a coyote, they are carnivores and present a potential risk to livestock and dogs, so people are asked to take reasonable precautions in caring for their animals while the wolf is in the area. CDFW officials remind area residents that hunting, harassing or capturing a Gray Wolf is currently illegal, because these wolves are endangered. Violators could face fines of up to 50-thousand dollars…..or jail time.
The wolf, which is from the White River pack, was previously in San Benito County, but it has also passed through Modoc, Tuolomne, Mariposa, Mer ced, Madera and Fresno counties.
