Wolf count meets critical threshold

Wolves in Oregon have hit the threshold for consideration of taking them off the state endangered species list. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday that the latest wolf census confirms at least seven breeding pairs — six in northeastern Oregon and one, led by the famous wanderer OR-7, in the southern Cascades. The state wolf management plan calls for a status review once there have been four breeding pairs producing pups that survive a year for three years running. That review will be presented to the state Fish and Wildlife Commission when it meets April 24 in Bend. The earliest a decision could be made would be at the commission’s June 5 meeting in Salem. The milestone was reached just seven years after wolves introduced into the Northern Rockies started moving into Oregon from Idaho...more