CDFW News

CDFW Investigators Seize Suspected Rhino Horns and Thousands of Pieces of Elephant Ivory in Los Angeles County

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:06:12 GMT

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) law enforcement from the Special Operations Unit (SOU) uncovered extensive evidence linking a business in Los Angeles County to suspected trafficking of animal parts, including rhino horn and elephant ivory.

CDFW investigators discovered what appears to be at least nine rhino horns, thousands of pieces of elephant ivory, several large, intricately carved tusks and a sea turtle shell. All samples will be tested and identified at CDFW’s Wildlife Forensics Lab.

“California was among the first to take a stand against the ivory trade, and our commitment has not wavered,” said Nathaniel Arnold, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement. “These operations send a clear message that we will continue to hold accountable those who profit from the destruction of wildlife. The global demand for ivory and rhino horn fuels poaching and organized crime, and California will not serve as a marketplace for these endeavors.”

It is fitting that this case was uncovered in October 2025 — 10 years after the governor’s signature established this critical enforcement authority.

Assembly Bill 96 (AB 96), authored by Toni Atkins, was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October 2015, taking effect in 2016. The bill expanded the state’s prohibition on the sales of ivory and rhino horn, making California the third state in the nation to enact such protections. With the authority established by AB 96, CDFW’s SOU and officers statewide have diligently pursued the illegal sale of ivory and rhino horn, working to reduce demand that drives the senseless poaching of iconic endangered species.

CDFW encourages the public to report wildlife trafficking and poaching activity through the CalTIP program by calling (888) 334-CALTIP (2258) or submitting anonymous tips via text toTIP411 (847411).

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Media Contact:
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications Manager, (916) 804-1714

22 New Wildlife Officers Sworn In Following Academy Graduation

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:21:51 GMT

This year saw highest percentage of female cadets in CDFW history

Download visuals from the event

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) pinned badges on 22 new Wildlife Officer Academy graduates today, Aug. 7, in Paradise, Butte County. These newly sworn wildlife officers will now go through a Field Training Program before setting out on solo patrol to protect California’s natural resources.

This graduating class of CDFW’s Wildlife Officer Academy chose the motto “On Track, Off Trail.” The wildlife officers’ specialized training will have them “On Track” with 1,250 academy hours used “Off Trail” as they safeguard California’s fish, wildlife, and communities for generations to come.

“We are proud to see these 22 new and eager wildlife officers sworn in and to walk across the graduation stage to be pinned with their badges. They will support CDFW’s mission to protect the state’s natural resources,” said Nathaniel Arnold, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement. “These wildlife officers will be deployed across the Law Enforcement Division’s programs, including regular patrol, marine enforcement, investigation of petroleum spills and response, and cannabis enforcement, in order to best support California’s communities across the state.”

Since partnering with Butte College in 2008 to provide CDFW with certified California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), this class saw the highest percentage of female cadets enter the academy at 31%. The class also includes eight military veterans, a former CDFW Fisheries Branch wildlife technician and a former member of CDFW’s Nutria Eradication Program team who held the record for most nutria taken in the state. CDFW hopes to hire an additional four self-sponsored cadets graduating with today’s class.

In the Field Training Program, the new wildlife officers will apply their academy training under the immediate supervision of seasoned field training officers (FTO). Field training with experienced FTOs is also mandated by POST to ensure wildlife officers can apply the skills they learned during the academy to real life circumstances. FTO is the final stage of formal training.

For more information about becoming a wildlife officer, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement.

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Media Contacts:
Andrew Halverson, CDFW Law Enforcement, (661) 428-9873
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

CDFW Chooses Prominent Wildlife Species for its 2024 Warden Stamp Series

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:24:21 GMT

For the past 13 years the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has used the Warden Stamp Program to help enhance resources for its Law Enforcement Division. The stamp has become a collectors’ item for people of all walks of life, and a way for the public to show support for CDFW wardens and their continued work to maintain the balance of the state’s many plants and animal species. Since the Program’s inception in 2010, the Warden Stamp has featured species like black bear, tule elk, sturgeon, spiny lobster and a bald eagle, just to name a few. For 2024, the Warden Stamp will feature one of the state’s most visible and widespread wildlife species: the mule deer.

“Species are selected for the Warden Stamp Program to represent California’s fish and wildlife populations and the people who support their conservation and management,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of the CDFW Law Enforcement Division. “The 2024 mule deer stamp symbolizes the important role this species plays in California’s wilderness landscape and their longstanding popularity with hunting and non-hunting Californians. The mule deer is the perfect addition to the Warden Stamp Program and its mission to support CDFW wildlife officers and their work.”

The 2024 stamp can be purchased for $5 and features a digital rendition of a tan and white buck (male deer) created by CDFW staff member, Sarah Guerere. The stamp is its usual warden shield shape, with a deep forest green background featuring the official warden shield and year. To view an image of the 2024 Warden Stamp, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/warden-stamp.

The mule deer stamp, along with past stamps, are available to purchase online, for $5. To purchase the stamp, scroll to bottom of the page and click “Continue as Guest.” Then click on “2023 Warden Stamps” under the Menu tab. To add the mule deer stamp to your cart, click on the line that reads “Warden Stamp Decal - 2024 Edition” and follow prompts to check out.

After you make your purchase, CDFW’s outreach team wants to hear and highlight the stories of the people who make this program a success. If you have a unique stamp story or want to share how or why you purchase a Warden Stamp each year, email Leticia.Palamidessi@wildlife.ca.gov for a chance to be highlighted in a future outreach campaign.

Since 1871, CDFW’s wildlife officers (wardens) have been dedicated to being the department’s “boots on the ground” when it comes to protecting California’s valuable natural resources like the mule deer. The Warden Stamp Program was created to address the need for better equipment and training for wardens.

Wildlife officers patrol on foot, by plane, boats, horseback and in a variety of vehicles. Although their objective of protecting California’s plants and animals remains the same, threats to native species are always evolving. From the growing threat of wildfires, drought and internet wildlife traffickers – CDFW’s wildlife officers continue their commitment to being stewards of the Golden State’s natural resources. Please continue to support wildlife officers and their mission by purchasing the 2024 Warden Stamp.

Thank you for your support!

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Media Contacts:
Capt. Patrick Foy, CDFW Law Enforcement Division, (916) 508-7095
Leticia Palamidessi, CDFW Outreach, (916) 708-8517

Fish and Game Commission Suspends and Terminates Fishing Privileges for Two Southern California Commercial Lobster Fishermen

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:26:24 GMT

During its Oct. 12 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted recommendations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to revoke the commercial fishing licenses of two Southern California commercial fishermen, Michael Volaski, 69, and Arthur Esparza, 62.

CDFW recommended a five-year suspension of Volaski’s lobster operator permit and commercial fishing license. Volaski is a commercial lobster fisherman from Oxnard. The suspension stems from a three-day hearing in front of an administrative law judge who listened to testimony from Volaski and CDFW regarding Volaski’s history of violations in the lobster fishery. CDFW wildlife officers recounted multiple incidents and documented violations, which included leaving lobster traps in the water after the close of the season, failing to retrieve a closed and baited lobster trap from the water after the close of the season, unlawfully placing traps within 750 feet of a public pier or jetty and three separate occasions undersized lobsters were found on Volaski’s vessel.

In the matter against Esparza, a commercial lobster fisherman from San Diego, CDFW recommended a lifetime revocation of his lobster operator permit and his commercial fishing license, both issued by CDFW. During the May 1, 2023, hearing, wildlife officers detailed 17 diverse violations of the Fish and Game Code and regulations adopted pursuant to the Fish and Game Code. Some of these violations included the unlawful taking of undersized commercial lobster on six separate occasions, the unlawful taking of lobster in the La Jolla State Marine Reserve and the South La Jolla State Marine Conservation area, failing to service lobster traps, failing to maintain and complete lobster logs, unlawfully tagged lobster traps and the unlawful take of finfish with a lobster trap.

Whether it’s hunting, recreational fishing or commercial fishing, the opportunity to take and possess fish and wildlife resources in California requires a high degree of mutual trust between law enforcement and the public. CDFW’s wildlife officers are entrusted with protecting the state’s precious marine resources by patrolling and enforcing the law along California’s vast 840-mile-long coastline. CDFW must be able to rely on commercial fisherman to comply with laws and regulations, including avoiding Marine Protected Areas. Those who do not comply erode the trust between CDFW and the public, including the law-abiding fleet, and threaten the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.

“The majority of people who fish commercially are law abiding and care for the resource,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of the CDFW Law Enforcement Division. “There are a few individuals, however, who choose to partake in commercial poaching. These individuals will eventually be caught and will likely lose the privilege to commercially fish in this state through either criminal or administrative actions.”

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Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

San Diego Area Wildlife Officer is CDFW’s 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 11:23:44 GMT

Warden Austin Smith has been named 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced.

Warden Smith started his wildlife officer career in 2016 and has been an exceptional investigator, dedicated officer and a true asset to CDFW. Smith’s investigations have involved many deer, wild turkey and illegal firearms violations. He also took the initiative to learn various aspects of unlawful commercial fishing, becoming highly proficient at Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel investigations. In Smith’s first six years with CDFW, he issued a total of 1,345 citations.

In addition to Warden Smith’s crime-solving skills, he has also dedicated himself to supporting public safety. In late 2019, Smith participated in a multi-agency Search and Rescue mission at the CDFW-managed Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area in rural San Diego County. A woman who was hiking the area had been reported missing by her husband. Smith used traditional tracking skills by following her footsteps away from her parked vehicle. Tracking is a skill lost to most of society and mastered by even fewer. Smith followed the tracks for several miles into the wildlife area and located the injured, dehydrated and disoriented woman. Smith transported the woman back to the parking lot where she was met and treated by paramedics.

And despite his short tenure in the Law Enforcement Division, Warden Smith makes it a priority to mentor probationary wildlife officers as a POST-certified Field Training Officer. He is also a designated arrest and control instructor, TASER instructor and evidence custodian.

“Warden Smith is very deserving of this award for his contributions to protecting our precious resources and keeping the citizens of California safe,” said David Bess, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division.

CDFW is thankful to Warden Smith as his singularly distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, CDFW and the State of California. But the best “thank you” Warden Smith could ever receive was back in 2021 in the parking lot of the Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area. A man approached him in the lot and not immediately recognizing him, described to Smith how he loved wildlife officers. The man said he was extremely grateful to them as one had saved his lost wife’s life at the same wildlife area a few years earlier. That officer was indeed Warden Austin Smith.

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Media Contact:
Capt. Patrick Foy, CDFW Law Enforcement Division

Photo:
Warden Austin Smith, CDFW file photo