Today, wolf OR-93—made famous by his epic journey across the state of California—was found on the side of Interstate 5 near the Los Padres National Forest.
Sadly, he was hit by a car.
It’s a tragic ending to a remarkable journey. We are so thankful that we were able to hear about his travels as he wandered hundreds of miles through nineteen counties, returning to areas where wolves have been absent for more than a century.
Originally from northern Oregon, OR-93 ventured south into California, crested the Sierra Nevada, navigated agricultural fields in the Central Valley, and crossed numerous freeways, all while sporting a purple radio collar affixed by biologists.
Thankful Amidst Loss
Amidst this loss, we remain thankful. We are thankful that he found sanctuary in Los Padres National Forest, where he spent the last several weeks of his life. His arrival confirmed what scientists have known for years—that wolves historically roamed this landscape and there is suitable habitat here for them to return.
We are thankful for the inspiration he provided, and for the hope that more wolves may one day follow in his footsteps. We are thankful for the lessons he has taught us, and for lighting a “fierce green fire” in the hearts of so many who rooted for him.
OR-93’s death will not be in vain. It is a painful reminder of why we do the work we do, and that we’ll need to work even harder, and smarter, and better, to ensure that our region’s wildlife can move freely across these lands without suffering this same fate.
A Recommitment to All That is Wild
Today, all of us on the ForestWatch team are recommitting ourselves to protecting habitat and the pathways connecting them. We’re doubling down on our work with landowners to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. We’re more determined than ever to work with cities and counties to establish meaningful protections for wildlife corridors. And we’re investing in a regional approach to wildlife conservation so that mountain lions, bears, deer, and other iconic wildlife—including tomorrow’s wolves—can safely cross over or under our tangled roadways. Our Room to Roam program seeks to do just this, giving animals like OR-93 a fighting chance of survival.
OR-93 has shown us that restoring our region’s wildlife is possible. But we still have a long way to go and lots of work to do. As we mourn the passing of OR-93, we hope that you will remember his remarkable journey. Perhaps you’ll let out your own howl, or quietly reflect on the lessons he taught us all.
We are hopeful for the promise of what tomorrow may bring, and what amazing journeys and tales of survival await our future.
So long, OR-93.