The gray wolf endangered species was considered by The California Fish and Game Commission Wednesday in an effort to protect the rare breed.
After failing to come up with a unanimous agreement, the commission of five members decided to delay the decision.
A gray wolf-known as OR-7-that crossed into Northern California from Oregon is the only known breed of his kind in the area.
The state board wants to ensure that the population of the gray wolf is legally protected from threatening situations.
More than 50 people attended the gathering including rancher Kirk Wilbur, who is the director of government relation for the California Cattlemen’s Association.
He told the commission that the gray wolf is dangerous by nature.
"Wolves directly kill livestock and in addition to that they can cause disease and other harm from stress,” he told the Associated Press.
Another attendant at the meeting also agreed.
“Wolves are beautiful animals,” said Ventura rancher Mike Williams. “But they’re also vicious, brutal and efficient killing machines and a threat to people, livestock and pets.”
Many ranchers and farmers are quite disappointed that the commission is pushing forward an agenda that would include wolves on the California endangered species list.
A past report about a man accidentally shooting a gray wolf:
However, the Center for Biological Diversity says that their sudden disappearance in Northern California proves that they are going into extinction.
— NY Wolf Center (@nywolforg) April 16, 2014
ONLY 75 LEFT IN THE WILD - Tell U.S Fish & Wildlife Service to Take Emergency Action to Rescue the Mexican Gray Wolf! http://t.co/up8ajqszcW
— Sherry Bagby (@Lea81S) April 16, 2014
— Chris Hrapsky (@chris12news) April 8, 2014
According to CBS Sacramento, the gray wolf population made a sudden reappearance after its massive slaughter in the 1920s. In the 1980s and 90s, wolves were near extinction until federal protection laws were passed in their favor.
Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, and the Great Lakes are some of the main regions where wolves can be found. However, these areas do not grant wolves federal protection. Forty-eight states have also considered removing their protection laws.
Advocates hope that the best decision will be made for OR-7 and other wolves alike.
The commission plans to officially vote on the matter in 90 days.
A past report about OR-7's travel to California:
Image via YouTube