We’re going to focus on one topic today - the return of an animal to California’s wilderness areas that brings wonder and hope to some, and fear and dread to others. We’re talking about the reappearance of the gray wolf.  For decades, wolves were thought to have been hunted and poisoned into extinction in California with the last sighting of the animal in the 1920s. But that changed in late 2011 when a wolf wearing a radio collar crossed into the state from Oregon. In the years since, California’s gray wolf population has grown into the dozens, with most roaming the far northern part of the state. But in those places, like Modoc County, where I recently visited, the wolf’s reappearance is fueling a backlash, especially among cattle ranchers who see the apex predator as a growing menace

<p>We&rsquo;re going to focus on one topic today - the return of an animal to California&rsquo;s wilderness areas that brings wonder and hope to some, and fear and dread to others. We&rsquo;re talking about the reappearance of the gray wolf. &nbsp;For decades, wolves were thought to have been hunted and poisoned into extinction in California with the last sighting of the animal in the 1920s. But that changed in late 2011 when a wolf wearing a radio collar crossed into the state from Oregon. In the years since, California&rsquo;s gray wolf population has grown into the dozens, with most roaming the far northern part of the state. But in those places, like Modoc County, where I recently visited, the wolf&rsquo;s reappearance is fueling a backlash, especially among cattle ranchers who see the apex predator as a growing menace</p>

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.

<p>KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.</p>