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Gray Wolf

Profile of a wolf in the forest
Profile of wolf running
Profile of wolf running
A black wolf in the snow

Introduction

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a recovering endangered species protected under the California Endangered Species Acts (CESA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Endangered Species Act. This native species was likely extirpated from California in the 1920s. Wolves have returned to California on their own by dispersal of individuals from source populations in other states. The public reporting of potential wolf sightings are investigated in California, and valued as a monitoring tool. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) did not reintroduce gray wolves to the state.

Yowlumni Pack wolves in Tulare County, Fall 2023.
Shasta Pack pups in Siskiyou County, August, 2015.

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    Summary

    In California, gray wolves are classified as federally endangered under the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act, state endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the State Wildlife Action Plan. Gray wolves began natural recolonization of California beginning in 2011; the first pack was the Shasta Pack in 2015 (no longer active). Today there are seven confirmed packs in California:  Beyem Seyo pack (Plumas County), Diamond pack (Plumas and Lassen counties), Harvey pack (Lassen County), Ice Cave pack (Shasta, Tehama, Lassen, and Plumas counties), Lassen Pack (southern Lassen/northern Plumas counties), Whaleback Pack (Siskiyou County), and Yowlumni pack (Tulare County). There may be an unknown number of individual wolves that have dispersed from packs or adjacent states. The department strives to conserve gray wolf populations for their ecological and intrinsic values and closely monitors our overall wolf population / packs for conservation and research, management and conflict mitigation.

    The Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California (December 2016; Part I (PDF)(opens in new tab); Part II (PDF)(opens in new tab)) was developed during a multi-year process led by CDFW with input from its California Wolf Stakeholder Working Group. Today, the CDFW Wolf Program and its core team members work to fulfill the adaptive strategy of this plan through meaningful engagement with agency partners, stakeholders and affected communities. The key overarching objectives includes monitoring wolf populations, expanding scope of conservation, management and research focus, and manage and mitigate wolf-livestock interactions to minimize loss.

    Archived Documents

    California's Known Wolves

    The CDFW closely monitors known resident wolves to conserve and manage California's wolf population. Gray wolves began natural recolonization of California beginning in late 2011 following Oregon wolf OR-7; since then several satellite-collared and unknown wolves from Oregon have dispersed into the state since then. The first known pack in California in modern times was the Shasta Pack (last observed in late 2015). Today, California has seven confirmed wolf packs: Beyem Seyo pack, Diamond pack, Harvey pack, Ice Cave Pack, Lassen pack, Whaleback pack, and Yowlumni pack. There are fives areas of wolf activity in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama Counties. There are likely an unknown number of individual wolves that currently occur in California that may have dispersed from packs in California or from adjacent states.

    Quarterly Wolf News and Updates

    Wolf Sightings

    If you have observed evidence of wolf sign (tracks/scat), or photographed / filmed what you believed to be a individual or multiple individual wolves, Report Gray Wolf Sightings. If the web form doesn't allow you to upload all your photographs or videos, please send them to WolfProgram@wildlife.ca.gov.

    Please use the following informational guide for Distinguishing Between Coyotes, Wolves, and Dogs (PDF)(opens in new tab).

    Potential Conflict and Depredation

    CDFW works to reduce the impacts of wolf presence on livestock in partnership with agricultural and conservation groups, and livestock producers. The use of nonlethal deterrent tools is important. Since 2017, deterrent tools such as fladry, radio-activated guard devices, and Foxlights have been successfully deployed at several properties within known wolf territory in California.

    CDFW works closely with USDA Wildlife Services to investigate suspected wolf depredation as soon as reasonably possible. Physical evidence and other factors are analyzed using specific Considerations for Classification of Reported Wolf Depredation Incidents (PDF)(opens in new tab). If you have questions about potential conflict or wolf-livestock depredation, you may contact:

    • Kent Laudon, Wolf Specialist, Redding, CA, California Department of Fish and Wildlife: (530) 215-0751
    • Nate Libal, Wolf Specialist, Chico, CA, California Department of Fish and Wildlife: (530) 260-3118
    • Christopher DeTar, Wolf Conflict Specialist, Fresno, CA, California Department of Fish and Wildlife: (559) 580-3207
    • Bill Watkins, USDA-Wildlife Services (Nonlethal Specialist): (530) 616-5593
    • Law Enforcement Dispatch, Northern California, California Department of Fish and Wildlife: (916) 358-1312

    California Wolf Stakeholder Working Group

    On November 17, 2022, CDFW held an in-person meeting with invited stakeholders to discuss the Department’s draft concept regarding the Interim Wolf-Livestock Loss Compensation Grant Program’s Pay for Presence module. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide an interactive forum for invited stakeholders, and the public, to receive and provide comments about the Program. CDFW specifically seeks to solicit feedback from the invited stakeholders. There was an opportunity for the public to provide additional input as well.

    The meeting is expected to provide: (1) updates on the Interim Compensation Grants Program, (2) a presentation and discussion on a pay for presence module, and (3) updates on CDFW’s Wolf Program activities.

    The meeting was open to the public, invited guests included Agricultural Commissioners and livestock producer representatives from affected counties; California Cattlemen’s Association; California Farm Bureau; California Wool Growers Association; Working Circle; Center for Biological Diversity; Defenders of Wildlife; CA Department of Food & Agriculture; University of California-Cooperative Extension; and USDA-APHIS Wildlife Service.

    Agenda: CDFW-Wolf Stakeholder Meeting Agenda (PDF)(opens in new tab)

    Proposal: Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program (PDF)(opens in new tab) *DRAFT CONCEPT*

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Contact

    Gray Wolf Program - Wildlife Diversity
    State Gray Wolf Coordinator: Axel Hunnicutt, michael.hunnicutt@wildlife.ca.gov
    1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605
    Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

    Wildlife Branch - Wildlife Diversity Program
    1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605
    wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov