Gray Wolf Updates

Last week, CDFW received trail camera video from May 15, 2021 showing a collared gray wolf in southwest Kern County. Though CDFW cannot confirm this at this time, it is possible the wolf could be OR-93 because of video evidence of the collar and the last known whereabouts of OR-93 (San Luis Obispo County on April 5, 2021). Even though the video evidence is more than three months old, CDFW will immediately investigate the area for additional information in hopes of finding wolf DNA for analysis. CDFW will also conduct flyovers to attempt to connect to the collar through radio telemetry.

On Aug. 25, CDFW was escorted by U.S. Forest Service fire staff into an area burned by the Dixie Fire to assess the Lassen Pack’s survival. Although the fire burned significant portions of its home range, CDFW confirmed that at least seven wolves including the pack’s breeding pair and four pups survived the fire. The adult wolves were keeping the pups in a small unburned grassy area surrounded by burned trees near a water source. 

Although the wolves were somehow able to survive the flames and smoke, biologists saw a small herd of cattle cow/calf pairs that had unfortunately perished. CDFW will continue to monitor the long-term effects of the Dixie and other fires on fish and wildlife habitat. 

It has been a tough summer for Californians facing drought, fires and smoke, and our thoughts go out to all affected.

CDFW has posted the Quarterly Wolf News and an update to the Known Wolves document on the CDFW Gray Wolf web page.