Page 6 The Skanner Portland & Seattle April 10, 2019
News
REPORT: Record Number of Wolves in Oregon
SALEM — A record number of wolves
are roaming the forests and fields of
Oregon, 20 years after the species re-
turned to the state.
The Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife reported Monday that the
number of known wolves in Oregon at
the end of 2018 was 137, a 10% increase
over the previous year. There are likely
even more wolves because not all indi-
viduals or packs are located during the
winter count.
Sixteen packs - defined as four or
more wolves traveling together in
winter - were documented during the
count, up from 12 packs in 2017.
“For the second year in a row, resi-
dent wolves were documented in a new
area of the state,” the 2018 Oregon Wolf
Conservation and management report
said. “In late 2018, wolves were discov-
ered in the central portion of the Ore-
gon Cascades.”
Despite the territorial expansion,
wolves still have a tentative toe-hold in
all but the eastern part of the state. The
objective of wolves maintaining four
breeding pairs in central and western
Oregon for three years had not been
reached. In the east, the objective of
seven breeding pairs was exceeded.
Meanwhile,
several wolves
crossed
into
California and
Idaho last year.
The resur-
gence of the
gray wolf in
Oregon
re-
flects a trend
in the West.
• In Washing-
ton state, the
number of
gray wolves
increased by
four in 2018
to a mini- This February, 2017 file photo provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and
mum of 126, Wildlife shows a wolf of the Wenaha Pack captured on a remote camera on U.S.
with
one Forest Service land in Oregon’s northern Wallowa County. The Oregon Department
pack living of Fish and Wildlife said in a report released Monday, April 8, 2019 that the number
for the first of known wolves in Oregon at the end of 2018 was 137, a 10 percent increase over
time west of the previous year.
the Cascade
wolves across the Lower 48 states. The
Range.
• In California, one pack has estab- proposal would give states the author-
lished itself, with the breeding male ity to hold wolf hunting and trapping
an offspring of a wolf that had wan- seasons. Wildlife advocates have blast-
dered south from Oregon in 2011. ed the proposal.
Wolves received endangered species
A California judge recently upheld
protection for gray wolves under the protections in 1975.
Then, only 1,000 remained, only in
state’s Endangered Species Act, re-
northern
Minnesota, after being al-
jecting a legal challenge from ranch-
most
exterminated
in the Lower 48
ers and farmers.
states. Now, more than 5,000 wolves
• The number of Mexican gray wolves
roam the contiguous U.S. The species
in Arizona and New Mexico has in-
returned to Oregon in 1999 when one
creased to at least 131 — the most
wolf that had been re-introduced into
since federal biologists began rein-
Idaho walked across the state line.
troducing them into the Southwest
more than two de-
cades ago.
In Oregon, wolves
are more prevalent in
the far eastern part of
Dapre Sr. &
James
Ray
the state, where they
Shannon Gas-
Burns
was
are delisted under the
ton of Port-
born February
Oregon List of Endan-
land, Ore. Two
7, 1944 to Mary
gered Species but are
brothers: Dan-
McCully & Eck-
protected as a special
er
Burns
in
ny Ray Lew-
status game mammal.
Portland,
Ore.
is of Burien,
Wolves in central and
Ray
met
Hel-
Wa sh i n g t o n ;
western parts of the
en
Jones
in
high
Glenn Lionell
state continue to be
school
and
they
Lewis of Port-
James
Ray
Burns
federally listed as en-
were married
land, Ore. Two
dangered species.
April 8, 1966. Brought to sisters: Patrica Diana &
Last month, the
this union was Darrell Roosevelt Lewis of Rent-
U.S. Interior Depart-
Ray Burns, Damon and on, Wash.; YuLinda Ma-
ment proposed lifting
Jennie Burns and Galen rie & Wayne Highsmith
protections for gray
of Portland, Ore. Grand
Burns.
Ray was a supervisor children: Darrell A.
for a major box making Burns, Ashley Unique
company. He loved the Burns, Darrell E. Burns,
Lord, he loved to fish and Ki’marra Fields, Savan-
he enjoyed card games nah Burns, Devyn Burns,
and dog races. He loved Jordyn Burns, Nakiyah
life and he loved his fam- Burns, Niccole Burns,
Galen Burns Jr, Galante
ily.
On Wednesday, April Burns, Tamia Gaston, Da-
11, 2018 our Lord and pre Gaston Jr., Dashawn
Savior saw that Ray was Gaston, Davon Gaston,
tired and sent an angel to Damarion Gaston, Mi-
chale Jeray Gaston, Ja-
bring him home.
Ray was preceded in neice Gaston, Marilyn
death by parents Mary Gaston. Great Grandchil-
McCully
and
Ecker dren: Azani White, JaVi-
Burns, Step father Wal- on Gaston-Bedinger and
ter Lewis. Brother: Don a host of nieces, neph-
A. Burns. Sister: Shawn- ews,friends,relatives, in-
tella Lewis.
laws and loved ones who
Ray leaves to cherish will cherish his memory
his memory his wife always.
Helen Burns. Three Chil-
We thank God for Ray.
dren: Darrell Ray Burns We have loved him and
of Los Angeles, Calif.; we will miss him every-
Damon Burns of Port- day. He will be in our
land, Ore.; Galen Burns hearts forever.
of Portland, Ore.
Memorial was held on
Ray leaves to cherish May 26, 2018 at Genesis
his memory children: Community Fellowship,
Michael Ray & Janelle 5425 NE 27th Ave, Port-
Gaston of Portland, Ore.; land, Ore.
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE VIA AP, FILE
By Andrew Selsky
Associated Press
Obituary: James Ray Burns
February 7, 1944 - April 11, 2018