Who Will Save the Wolf?
Is it you? Who will save the wolves? Wolves once roamed California’s Coastal Range and deserts, filling an important ecological niche. But European settlement changed the landscape from wilderness to agricultural, encroaching on wolf habitat. Farmers and ranchers killed wolves to protect their livestock. California was declared free of wolves in 1924 when the last known wolf was trapped in Lassen County.
Public Support to Save the Wolf
Finally, nearly 50 years later, public support paid off. The environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s led to protections for wolves under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
There are still six species of wolves in North America, many of them endangered. The Mexican gray wolf, commonly known as ‘el lobo,’ once inhabited Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California. The Mexican wolf is the most endangered of the subspecies, and is one of the rarest land mammals on earth.
Efforts to save the wolf by re-introducing them to the wild involve rearing wolves in captive facilities around the United States and Mexico. Currently, there are about 370 Mexican wolves in captivity. As of 2021, because of re-introduction, there were 3 known wolf packs in Northern California totaling another 20 individuals.
California Wolf Center
You can visit the Mexican gray wolves and learn more about saving these important and beautiful creatures at the California Wolf Center and Nature Store in nearby Julian. The California Wolf Center offers Public Tours, Private Tours, and Special Event Tours. Children 4 years old and younger are always free.
Help save the wolves by sponsoring a wolf, shopping at the Nature Store, or taking a tour. You’ll meet real live Mexican gray wolves on your visit and perhaps get to name a new wolf cub. Now that it’s February and mating season has begun, you may be treated to howling…wolves howl to attract mates.
The California Wolf Center is at Tall Pine Road & K Q Ranch Road in Julian. For more information, call (760) 765-0030.
Get Involved to Save the Wolves
Yes, you can save the wolf. In fact, because of public support, the future looks brighter for the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf. Just reserve your stay at The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and make plans to meet the wolves when you to go to Julian – it’s only 30 miles away.