new wolf tracked to klamath ranch 060915

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New wolf tracked to Klamath ranch

by LACEY JARRELL, Herald and News 6/9/15

A second wolf known to have disbursed from the Imnaha Pack in Northeastern Oregon has made his way to Klamath County.

The 2-year-old male gray wolf, designated OR-25, has been in the county for about a week, according to wildlife officials. OR-25 left the Imnaha pack — the same pack OR-7, Oregon’s famed wandering wolf, disbursed from — in early April.

OR-25 was captured and fit with a GPS radio collar in 2014.

John Muir, assistant district wildlife biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Klamath Falls office, said OR-25 is a “wandering teenager” much like OR-7 was when he began his journey across the state. Muir said OR-25 has traversed most of eastern Oregon, but he has never been west of the Cascades.

“He’s gone through a big chunk of land that might be wolf habitat, but he’s not necessarily following the path of OR-7,” Muir said. “We don’t know what he’s going to do. He’s moved through a ton of country. There’s no reason to think he’s going to set up shop here.”

Williamson River area

As of late, OR-25’s GPS collar has sent several signals indicating he is on or near the 5,000-acre Yamsi Ranch, located at the headwaters of the Williamson River. Yamsi is a working cattle ranch that runs 500 mother cows. Yamsi partners John and Jerri Hyde say they were alerted to the wolf ’s presence by ODFW officials. They have not seen OR-25 or any sign of him. “I don’t care if the wolf is here. It doesn’t bother me,” Jerri said, noting she believes wolves have been on the ranch in the past. “So far we haven’t had any trouble with it, other than it’s here and hopefully it’ll move on,” John said. After learning OR-25 was in the vicinity , officials set up trail cameras to try to capture an image of him. Muir said based on the area the wolf has covered and the speed at which he’s moving, biologists do not believe OR-25 is traveling with a female. As of Friday, no images of OR-25 had been captured.

ljarrell@heraldandnews.com ; @LMJatHandN

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