CDFW Releases New Wolf Location Mapping System

Thu, 15 May 2025 10:18:43 GMT

Online tool is designed to help livestock producers better understand the location of wolves in order to protect their herds

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today the release of a brand-new mapping tool designed to provide regular location information on GPS-collared gray wolves in California to help prevent wolf-livestock conflict.

The Wolf Location Automated Mapping System, available to the public on CDFW’s website, shows the approximate location of GPS collared wolves across the state. The goal of the map is to better enable livestock producers to understand the movement of collared wolves near their properties and to assist them in mitigating wolf-livestock conflicts.

“California’s rural livestock producers living near wolves have faced real challenges as the wolf population grows in California. This is one more tool in our shared toolkit to protect their herds from wolf-livestock conflict,” said Charlton H. Bonham, CDFW Director. “CDFW is focused on transparency, best practices, and ensuring impacted communities have the knowledge they need to help prevent conflict. We will continue to partner with ranchers and communities to navigate a positive path forward.”

CDFW already provides regular and timely updates to livestock producers, law enforcement offices, and local officials regarding the movement of collared wolves near their communities, but this is the first time CDFW is providing automated data on wolf movements to the public.

CDFW’s GPS collars collect wolf location data roughly four times a day and transmit those locations to CDFW each morning. When received, the location data will be automatically transmitted to the online map. The most recently received location of an individual wolf is shown as a hexagonal cell and, when clicked, provides information about the wolf’s pack, the general area they are in, and the last transmission date. As wolves regularly travel hundreds of miles across the state, information on their location can be a critical tool for ranchers to protect their property and livelihoods.

“Knowing where California’s collared wolf population is means that ranchers have access to critical information,” said California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass. “We appreciate CDFW’s focus on transparency to help farmers and ranchers navigate the growing number of wolves in the state.”

The map provides information exclusively on collared wolves, a subset of the overall gray wolf population. As of May 2025, 14 wolves across California have GPS collars. Collaring wolves with GPS devices helps CDFW and the state better understand wolf populations, movement, and habitats.

“As wolves increase in number and range, California ranchers are in dire need of additional tools to protect the animals under their care. Knowledge is power, and this mapping tool will empower ranchers throughout wolf territory to better understand where wolves might threaten their livestock, enabling them to increase human presence and adjust their herd management as necessary to deter wolf attacks,” said Kirk Wilbur, Vice President of Government Affairs, California Cattlemen’s Association. “CCA appreciates the Department’s communication and transparency, which we hope will ease the burdens borne by cattle ranchers who steward California’s wolf habitat.”

The location of a wolf on the map is approximate and not reflective of the exact or current location of any individual wolf or pack. Generalizing the location data helps protect California’s gray wolf population, classified as both federally and state endangered, from potential harm, a crime punishable by law. It also helps prevent trespassing on private property. Data from specific areas, such as at known den sites where wolf pups are believed to be present, will not be available during certain times of the year. CDFW reserves the right to modify or discontinue the publication of the mapping tool if it is believed to result in any harassment of gray wolves or other wildlife or trespassing on private property.

For additional questions about this mapping tool, head to CDFW’s website.

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Media Contact:
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381

Capture and Collar Efforts Underway for Wolves, Elk and Deer in Northeastern California

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:05:55 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) this week initiated efforts to capture wolves, elk and deer by helicopter in northeastern California and outfit the animals with GPS collars. The capturing and collaring will continue through the end of the month as weather allows.

CDFW has contracted with Leading Edge Aviation to conduct the helicopter captures in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Siskiyou counties. CDFW environmental scientists and veterinary staff will provide direction and support on the ground. It is the first time CDFW has used helicopters to capture and collar gray wolves.

Capture teams will target wolves in the Whaleback Pack in Siskiyou County and the Lassen Pack, which roams portions of Lassen and Plumas counties. Neither pack has wolves with functioning GPS collars. The collars can transmit data to CDFW scientists twice a day for up to two years and provide detailed information about movements, habitat preferences and location. In the case of wolves, the collars provide information that CDFW can share with cattle and sheep ranchers about nearby wolf activity to help reduce conflicts though the collars are not reliable sources for real-time data.

Recent attempts to capture and collar California wolves from the ground have been unsuccessful. Helicopter captures are an added effort while ongoing ground captures will be adapted to increase success. Other Western states, including Oregon and Washington, routinely use helicopters to capture and monitor their wolf populations.

Captured and collared mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk will enhance CDFW’s knowledge of distribution, abundance, migration patterns, recruitment, survival and habitat use.

The captures will take place on lands managed by the USDA Forest Service as well as on private properties with permission from landowners. CDFW is grateful to the USDA Forest Service, timberland owners and other private landowners that are providing access to their lands for the capture.

CDFW photo of a gray wolf in northeastern California, part of the Lassen Pack.

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Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Stoddard, CDFW Northern Region, (530) 768-7146
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

CDFW News

CDFW Releases New Wolf Location Mapping System

Capture and Collar Efforts Underway for Wolves, Elk and Deer in Northeastern California