Wolf pups spotted in Oregon

LA GRANDE, Ore., July 22 (UPI) -- Oregon wildlife officials say a wolf pack with pups was detected in northeastern Oregon for the first time since the mid-1940s.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said at least two adults and two pups were heard howling in northern Union County, though the exact number of the animals has not been determined.

Biologists have been searching for evidence of wolves in the region for some time, the agency said Monday in a news release.

"Experts have long predicted that wolves from the expanding Idaho population would continue to cross the Snake River and enter Oregon," the agency said.