California wolf is back in Oregon

This Nov. 14, 2011 photo from a trail camera appears to show OR-7, the young male wolf that has wandered hundreds of miles across Oregon and Northern California looking for a mate and a new home. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says the photo likely shows OR-7, because a collar is visible on the neck, and GPS tracking data put him in the area where the camera was set on that date. Oregon's famous wandering wolf seems to be staying out of trouble after settling for now in the southern Cascades, but there are no signs he has found a mate yet. (AP Photo/Allen Daniels via The Medford Mail Tribune) less This Nov. 14, 2011 photo from a trail camera appears to show OR-7, the young male wolf that has wandered hundreds of miles across Oregon and Northern California looking for a mate and a new home. The Oregon ... more Photo: Allen Daniels, Associated Press Photo: Allen Daniels, Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close California wolf is back in Oregon 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Unable to find a mate in the Golden State, California's lone wolf has returned to Oregon.

OR7, also known as Journey, entered California in December, becoming the first wolf to roam freely in the state in 88 years.

The radio-collared wolf spent the past two months in Siskiyou, Shasta and Lassen counties, and his whereabouts have been tracked by wildlife managers in Oregon and California. The wolf's behavior - leaving his pack in Oregon - is typical, and wildlife officials said he is likely searching for a mate to start his own pack.

He returned to Oregon around noon Thursday and as of last night was in Jackson County, said Russ Morgan, wolf coordinator with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"It's possible OR7 will cross back into California and be using areas in both states," Morgan said. "While wolves crossing state boundaries may be significant for people, wolves and other wildlife don't pay attention to state borders."

Journey is likely returning to his home turf after striking out in California, said Eric Loft, chief of wildlife with the California Department of Fish and Game.

Like kid leaving home

"Being a young male, what they are typically doing is heading out and looking for new territory," Loft said. "Sort of like the kids leaving home."

Journey appears to be following his own scent back the way he came, Loft said.

Journey could either hook up with an Oregon wolf pack, or he could wander back to California, Loft said.

"It's anybody's guess at this point. He's just hovering right at the border; he could go back and forth a number of times," Loft said.

Journey became a statewide sensation when he crossed into California's Siskiyou County on Dec. 28, 2011. Environmentalists threw out the welcome mat for the gray wolf, which has traveled more than 1,000 miles across deserts, mountains and highways since leaving his Oregon pack in September.

Last California wolf

The last known California wolf was trapped and killed in Lassen County in 1924.

But California ranchers worried that newly resurrected California wolves would threaten cows and calves. Hunters don't like wolves any more than ranchers do, mainly because the animals prey on elk, a favorite hunting trophy.

Loft said there was a lot California wildlife officials don't yet know about wolf habits.

"We're still learning," he said with a laugh. "We don't claim to be wolf experts here in California."