CDFW News

California Red-Legged Frog Recovery Reaches 10-Year Milestone in Yosemite

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:06:12 GMT

10,000 frogs released through multiagency conservation effort

The California red-legged frog, a federally threatened species absent from Yosemite National Park for decades, has made a significant comeback after 10 years of coordinated conservation work.

Partners marked the milestone today with the symbolic release of the program’s 10,000th frog in Yosemite Valley.

The recovery effort is led by the National Park Service in collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Yosemite Conservancy and San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.

“This milestone reflects years of focused work to restore a species that plays an important role in the park’s ecosystem,” said Rob Grasso, aquatic ecologist at Yosemite National Park. “After invasive bullfrogs eliminated red-legged frogs from the area decades ago, we removed those threats and created conditions for recovery. Today, multiple generations of frogs are established in Yosemite Valley.”

Invasive American bullfrogs, introduced to the park, drove the species’ decline. Elevated raccoon populations, fueled by open refuse sites that remained in use until the 1970s, also contributed to the loss. Park staff spent decades removing bullfrogs, while habitat improvements tied to the Merced River Plan restored wetlands, streambanks and river systems critical to the frog’s survival.

“Our partners have been essential to the recovery of the California red-legged frog,” said Kim Turner, acting field supervisor for the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. “We appreciate the progress made over the past decade and remain committed to this collaborative effort.”

During the May 7 event, speakers will deliver remarks near Yosemite Falls before releasing several zoo-reared frogs, including the program’s symbolic 10,000th frog, nicknamed “Twain.”

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is proud to have assisted the recovery of California’s official state amphibian in Yosemite,” said Laura Patterson, amphibian and reptile conservation coordinator for the Department. “Grants administered by the Department, using funds approved by the voters of California, facilitated the habitat restoration necessary for the success of this recovery effort.”

A key component of the effort is a dedicated rearing facility established in San Francisco in 2016 through a partnership between the National Park Service and the San Francisco Zoological Society. At the facility, staff raise frogs from wild-collected eggs to one- and two-year-old juveniles in a controlled environment before releasing them into the park.

The program is supported by the Zoo-Park Partnership Program, facilitated by the Wildlife Restoration Foundation, and is considered a model for species recovery in California.

“When the program began in 2016, no California red-legged frogs remained in Yosemite Valley,” said Dr. Rochelle Stiles, director of field conservation at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. “Today, every frog in the valley traces back to this effort. Despite drought, severe winters and flooding, the population has proven resilient.”

This year, the zoo plans to release about 830 juvenile frogs into Yosemite while raising approximately 600 eggs for future release.

“Protecting vulnerable species helps preserve the park’s natural balance,” said Cassius Cash, president of Yosemite Conservancy. “This milestone shows what sustained collaboration can achieve.”

The effort also relied on private landowner Diane Buchholz of Garden Valley, Calif., who allowed researchers to collect frog eggs from her property.

The California red-legged frog gained national recognition in The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain. The species, the largest native frog in the western United States, grows 2 to 5 inches long and is known for its reddish underside and soft, short calls. It inhabits ponds, streams and wet meadows.

About the National Park Service Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. ;Learn more at nps.gov.

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.

About the California Department of Fish and Wildlife The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s mission is to protect California's diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and enjoyment by the public today and for generations to come. For more information visit wildlife.ca.gov or follow CDFW on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

About San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Established in 1929, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects people to wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action. An urban oasis, SF Zoo is home to nearly 1,500 exotic, endangered and rescued animals representing about 150 species. Located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean at Sloat Boulevard, the Zoo is open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in the winter). Visit www.sfzoo.org for more information.

About Yosemite Conservancy For more than 100 years, Yosemite Conservancy has supported the conservation of Yosemite’s natural and cultural resources and helped people develop a deeper relationship to the park. Thanks to generous donors, in recent years, the Conservancy has provided more than $180 million in grants to Yosemite for more than 950 projects. In 2026, we are providing $19 million in total support and funding around 60 new grants to the National Park Service for projects in the park. The Conservancy’s guided adventures and art classes, donor events, volunteer opportunities, wilderness services and bookstores help people from across the country and world connect with Yosemite. Learn more at yosemite.org.

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Media Contacts:
Yosemite National Park
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Nancy Chan, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, (415) 840-6065
Peter Bartelme, Yosemite Conservancy

Multi-Agency Report Published Identifying Conservation Priorities for Western Monarch Butterfly

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:41:15 GMT

Sacramento – The California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative has published a report on the results of a years-long process to identify priority conservation actions and research needs for the western monarch butterfly. The “Conservation Priorities for the Western Monarch Butterfly in California” report, involving members of 13 state and federal agencies, marks a significant effort to address threats to the western monarch butterfly, whose population has declined catastrophically in recent years.

"Monarch recovery starts with restoring habitat, expanding native plants and aligning science with on-the-ground action across agencies and partners. This roadmap gives 13 state and federal entities — and the public — a shared path forward to help these iconic pollinators rebound," said Meghan Hertel, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“The western monarch’s journey is testament of their endurance. Their survival — as well as other pollinators — requires a collective, persistent effort to turn our landscapes into welcoming habitats,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “By leveraging shared resources and expertise, we can enhance monarch and pollinator conservation throughout the West Coast."

The report identifies five top-priority actions for the next three years:

Develop common monarch habitat definitions for the west
Track implementation and success of habitat projects
Centralize existing pollinator resources
Improve the availability of native plant materials
Develop a demographic model to help identify key vulnerabilities in the western monarch life cycle

Knowledge gaps recognized in the report include effects of pesticides on monarchs, conservation strategies on rangelands and the impacts of wildfire on monarch habitat. The Collaborative also identified the need to improve coordination with California Native American tribes for pollinator conservation efforts across the state.

“This report lays out a roadmap for addressing some of the key challenges for monarchs and other pollinators that we depend on to support our ecosystems and food supply. It is important to see how agriculture can be part of the solution,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

“Pollinators are essential to California grown foods like strawberries, grapes and almonds and agricultural production across the country,” said Paul Souza, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. “This report supports voluntary, science-based conservation across the landscape with a variety of partners — from national wildlife refuges and state parks to highways, farms and ranches. We are committed to working with the State of California and local communities to identify innovative opportunities that advance pollinator conservation, including for the iconic monarch butterfly.”

“Caltrans’ engagement in the Collaborative and enrollment in the Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the conservation of monarch butterflies. Caltrans is actively implementing conservation actions that positively impact monarchs and their habitats, ensuring that our efforts contribute to the long-term survival of pollinator species,” said Dina El-Tawansy, Director of the California Department of Transportation.

To read the full report or learn more, visit the California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative page.

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Media Contacts:
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3848
Hillary Sardinas, CDFW Pollinator Coordinator, (916) 387-5148

California Fish and Game Commission Finds CESA Protections Warranted for Southern California and Central Coast Mountain Lion

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:43:22 GMT

In Other Regulatory Action, Commission Streamlines Charitable Donation of Sport-Caught Fish

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) at its Feb. 11-12 meeting voted to list mountain lion populations in parts of southern California and the central coast as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

In a unanimous vote, the Commission determined that listing a distinct population segment of mountain lions in southern California and the central coast is warranted due to threats such as habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and isolation of small populations as a result of expanding human infrastructure, among others. The Commission considered presentations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on its species status review and from the listing petitioner the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as public comment. The Commission will adopt its findings at a future meeting.

“This segment of the mountain lion population is clearly at risk from distinct threats,” said President Eric Sklar. “Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation by roads, freeways and housing, and mortality from vehicle strikes, rodenticides and risks of isolation and inbreeding would lead to the extinction of these mountain lions if we remained on the same trajectory.”

Following the 1974 ban on hunting mountain lions in California, in 1990 voters approved Proposition 117, which designated mountain lion a specially protected mammal in the state and established some exemptions for lethal removal of mountain lions to preserve public safety and to protect private property and livestock. The Commission noted that those statutory provisions remain intact and that this listing is focused specifically on preventing the potential loss of the identified population segment through science-based management and conservation action.

Donation of Sport-Caught Fish

The Commission adopted regulatory amendments related to processing and donating sport-caught fish. Sport fishing license holders who exchange fish for processing will be able to donate their fish to charities directly through fish processors rather than having to deliver the fish themselves as presently allowed. The adopted amendments streamline the donation of sport-caught fish to nonprofit organizations, California Native American tribes, public schools within a California unified school district and California city or county government programs. The changes will provide sport fishing license holders the opportunity to support nonprofit, community, school and tribal initiatives addressing food insecurity, access and distribution.

Commission Elections, Committee Assignments and Meeting Participation

In its first meeting of 2026, Commissioner Eric Sklar was elected Commission president and Commissioner Darius Anderson vice president. The Commission moved to retain Marine Resources, Wildlife Resources and Tribal Committee co-chair assignments — Sklar and Commissioner Samantha Murray will continue to serve on the Marine Resources Committee, Anderson and Commissioner Erica Zavaleta on the Wildlife Resources Committee and Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin on the Tribal Committee.

Sklar, Zavaleta and Murray were in attendance for both days of the February Commission meeting held in Sacramento; Hostler-Carmesin and Anderson were absent both meeting dates.

The complete agenda for the meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for April 15-16, 2026, at the California Natural Resources Agency building in Sacramento. Participants are encouraged to attend in person, with options available for Zoom or phone; for more information visit the Commission website.

The Commission authorized public notice of upcoming potential regulation changes related to:

Central Valley and Klamath River Basin sport fishing regulations: A discussion hearing is scheduled for April 15-16 and an adoption hearing for May 6 on proposed amendments related to Central Valley and Klamath River Basin sport fishing regulations.

Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Jen Benedet, CDFW Communications, (916) 202-4465

CDFW Announces First Capture and GPS Collar of Sierra Nevada Red Fox in the Southern Sierra Nevada

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:05:46 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has reached a significant goal in conservation science by gaining the ability to study more closely the behavioral patterns of the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) in the southern Sierra Nevada. The Department’s capacity to closely track the fox’s movements is a critical step toward understanding and protecting one of California’s rarest and most elusive native carnivores.

Due to their rarity, Sierra Nevada red foxes in California are protected as a Threatened Species under the California Endangered Species Act. The population in the Sierra Nevada has additional federal protection, considered an Endangered Species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The January capture, which occurred near Mammoth Lakes and was conducted by biologists from the CDFW Bishop Field Office, marks the first time the Department has captured, fitted with a GPS-tracking collar and released a Sierra Nevada red fox in the Sierra Nevada.

The foxes in the Sierra Nevada are isolated from their relatives in the Cascade Range, and the movements and behavior of this collared fox will offer scientists a rare opportunity to better understand the ecology and conservation needs of this remote group.

The Sierra Nevada population is estimated to be fewer than 50 individuals. The species is typically extremely wary of humans and inhabits barren, rugged terrain at high elevations. Cautious behavior, remote habitat and low-density populations make them extremely difficult to find and capture, making this a noteworthy event.

“This represents the culmination of 10 years of remote camera and scat surveys to determine the range of the fox in the southern Sierra, and three years of intensive trapping efforts,” said CDFW Environmental Scientist Julia Lawson. “Everyone on the team was thrilled to see our hard work pay off. Our goal is to use what we learn from this collared animal to work toward recovering the population in the long term.”

Location data from the GPS collar and biological samples obtained during the capture of this animal are important management and research tools to help increase CDFW’s understanding of the species, directly support its protection and aid in increasing the efficiency of future capture and survey efforts.

In 2018, a team of scientists led by CDFW Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Carlson attached GPS satellite collars to several Sierra Nevada red foxes in the Lassen Peak region of northern California. That effort helped biologists subsequently locate several dens, leading to a much better understanding of the patterns of reproduction, movement and habitat use in this little-studied species.

Although red foxes are common and widespread throughout North America and Eurasia, the Sierra Nevada red fox is a distinct lineage found only in the high elevation regions of California and Oregon. According to historical accounts, these alpine red foxes have always been exceedingly rare and elusive.

The factors causing the population decline of Sierra Nevada red fox are not fully known, but unregulated hunting and trapping in the early 20th century likely played a major role, and low genetic diversity has continued to weaken the subspecies over time. The population in California’s Sierra Nevada was thought to have disappeared, until an automatic trail camera detected one near Sonora Pass in 2010. Since then, researchers have documented Sierra Nevada red foxes as far south as Cottonwood Pass, west of Lone Pine.

Conservation of the rare Sierra Nevada red fox reflects California’s commitment to biodiversity and the 30x30 Initiative, which seeks to conserve 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030. Protecting rare species and their habitats strengthens ecosystems, ensuring healthy wildlife populations that support sustainable outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Science-driven efforts, such as GPS tracking and habitat conservation, help maintain balanced ecosystems where game species and other wildlife can thrive, for the benefit of all Californians.

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Factual Information About Lake Tahoe’s Black Bears

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:31:44 GMT

Keep Tahoe Bears Wild!

The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) is a collective of bear experts across federal, state and local agencies who study and understand bears and have devoted much of their professional lives to ensure the health and well-being of the Lake Tahoe Basin’s black bears. TIBT provides proven and scientifically backed information about the real issues and solutions for living and recreating in bear country.

Tahoe bears may at times seem like a unique bear species due to their general lack of fear and boldness around humans (habituation), but these black bears follow the usual biological patterns of black bears across California and Nevada. Whether living in or visiting bear country here at Lake Tahoe or beyond, this information should clarify what human actions are needed to help wild bears survive and thrive.

Secure Crawl Spaces

Web cam photos and videos of bears denning under homes can perpetuate the myth that property owners and residents should allow bears to den under homes and in crawl spaces. It can also encourage unwanted behavior such as laying out hay or other materials for bears. However, most homeowners don’t even know a bear is under or around their home until it has already established a makeshift den.

Bears often damage the insulation, exposing pipes to freezing temperatures or even damaging them in the process. Once a bear gets established, it can be difficult to make it leave. This increases the chances of human-bear conflict and habituated behavior.

Bears under homes need to be addressed by trained agency professionals as bears can be dangerous and unpredictable. If disturbed, mother bears with newborn cubs may abandon the den, orphaning the cubs in the process. For this reason, only a wildlife professional should evaluate the situation and offer advice to homeowners.

It’s important to remember that bears have evolved to comfortably survive winter without human help, so it is essential to board up all crawl spaces around homes to discourage bears from denning underneath. The TIBT video “Securing Your Crawl Space” will show you how to go about this.

Deny Access to Human Food and Trash

Black bears are very resilient and adaptive animals, and, as opportunistic omnivores, they will take advantage of any available food source, including human-provided foods like garbage. Their highly developed sense of smell allows them to find these food sources, even when locked in a vehicle or home, which in turn may lead bears into conflict with people.

It is true that bears need a lot of calories, especially in preparation for winter, but giving them handouts will not set them up to thrive. Repeated exposure to human foods can lead to food-conditioned bears which then view human homes and neighborhoods as reliable sources of food.

When mother bears teach their cubs to access human foods, they not only continue the cycle of human food-conditioning, but the cubs are much more prone to be involved in conflict, including being hit and killed by vehicles.

Consuming human food and garbage is incredibly unhealthy for bears because the high sugar content can increase tooth decay and painful abscesses. Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in both California and Nevada.

As omnivores, a bear’s diet is about 85% plant-based, with the remaining portion coming from consuming insects, small mammals and carrion. Bears should be allowed to fulfill their very important and vital ecological role as seed dispersers, predators and scavengers.

Get ‘BearWise’ to Keep Bears Wild

Black bears are smart. They have learned how to unscrew lids and open sliding glass and vehicle doors. They are also strong. In order to access food, they can peel a car door down from the top or break through a typical home door or window. Even after an incident like the 2021 Caldor Fire, where a huge swath of vegetation was burned in the Sierra Nevada mountains, wildlife biologists saw bears find natural ways to survive like the resilient omnivores that they are.

On rare occasions, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) must remove bears that are putting human life and property at risk. No one, including agency biologists who have dedicated their lives and careers to protecting bears, want this outcome. It is only used with great discretion and as a last resort.

Bears are large, strong animals and once they become conditioned to human foods or comfortable around people and human surroundings, they pose a significant threat to human safety. For these reasons it is very important for people to be educated and dedicated to being “BearWise.” Learn how at the BearWise website.

It’s also important to note that except in the case of the immediate protection of human life, the only people who can legally interact with wildlife are designated state agency representatives or law enforcement professionals.

Slow Down for Bears, Wildlife

It can be exciting to see a big, beautiful animal like a black bear in a neighborhood, but it is not where bears belong. Human-developed areas pose many dangers to bears, particularly busy roads with cars, which bears must cross in order to get to the unhealthy human food and garbage in developed areas.

By allowing bears to comfortably live in or pass through neighborhoods, the chances that they will get struck and killed by vehicles increases greatly. If a bear is in your neighborhood, encourage it to move on by scaring it away so that it can lead a safer life away from developed areas and conflict. Slow down for bears and other wildlife in the Tahoe Basin. For more information on bear-vehicle collisions, see the TIBT video “When Bears and Humans Collide”.

The TIBT is dedicated to creating the best environment for bears to thrive and remain wild in an ever-growing, ever-changing environment like the Lake Tahoe Basin. CDFW and NDOW should be the only point of contact for any bear-related incidents or questions. CDFW and NDOW have trained black bear experts who can help navigate any human-bear conflicts.

We encourage the public to visit our website, TahoeBears.org, for accurate, science-based information about bears. To report bear incidents or conflict in the Lake Tahoe Basin, use the following:

In California, contact CDFW at 916-358-2917 or report online using the Wildlife incident Reporting (WIR) System.
Non-emergency bear collisions in California State Parks can be reported to public dispatch at 916- 358-1300.
In Nevada, contact NDOW at 775-688-BEAR (2327).
If the issue is an emergency, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.

Thank you for helping keep Tahoe bears wild and safe!

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Media Contact:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858