Warning issued after wolves in southern Oregon show ‘lack of wariness’ around people

Zach Urness, Salem Statesman Journal
·2 min read
290
Three different wolves from the Indigo group were seen on a remote camera, Feb. 20, 2019 in the Umpqua National Forest.
Three different wolves from the Indigo group were seen on a remote camera, Feb. 20, 2019 in the Umpqua National Forest.

Two wolves in southwest Oregon have shown an uncharacteristic "lack of wariness around people," prompting state wildlife officials to issue a warning to anyone recreating in the upper North Umpqua River area east of Roseburg.

Videos and photos show one wolf, a yearling, "approaching and laying down near vehicles and not reacting to human voice or honking horns ... which is uncommon behavior," officials with Umpqua National Forest said in a news release.

Another wolf that's part of the pack, OR-125, has at times been seen with the yearling wolf and has also shown a lack of wariness of humans. Their main location, when people see them, has typically been the upper North Umpqua River area, officials said.

What we know about the wolves

There have been no reported attacks on humans or pets so far, officials with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said, but they're recommending people in the area be prepared for a potential encounter.

The wolves are part of the Indigo Pack — a group of four first established in 2018. Their area of known activity is generally west of Diamond Lake and east of Glide.

"The behavior of these two wolves can be a safety risk for people and their pets. Dog owners should leash their pets as wolves are territorial with other canines," Umpqua National Forest said.

Wolves in western Oregon — including the Indigo Pack — are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. In the latest count, at least 178 wolves were counted across Oregon, with the number of wolves moving into the state's west side rising by 39%.

“Wolves are growing in numbers and expanding in distribution in western Oregon,” Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wolf coordinator Roblyn Brown said. “We are confident in the continued health of the state’s wolf population as they expand in distribution across the state and continue to show an upward population trend.”

What to do if you see a wolf

A flier from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service advises people to do the following if they see a wolf:

  • Stay at least 100 yards away

  • Keep dogs on a leash

  • Stay alert by not wearing headphones

  • Carry bear spray

  • Do not feed wolves

  • Don't run

  • Make noise

  • Appear large

The flier encourages people to stay calm if they encounter a wolf. "Talk in a loud, firm voice or make loud noises and the wolf will likely run away," the flier said.

If a wolf approaches you, the flier encourages people to back away slowly while facing the wolf and to fight back if attacked.

"We’re working with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Umpqua National Forest to make people who may be recreating (or working) in the Indigo Pack’s area aware there is a yearling wolf that has lost it’s wariness of people," said Meghan Dugan, a spokeswoman for ODFW.

What to do in the event of seeing a wolf in person.
What to do in the event of seeing a wolf in person.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Wolves in southern Oregon show ‘lack of wariness’ around people