Enjoy and celebrate wildlife with respect and understanding.
California is rich in diversity of people and land. The golden state is home to more plants and wildlife than any other state and nearly 40 million people. As more people live and recreate in or near wildlife habitat, encounters with wildlife are likely.
It's possible to share space and safely coexist with native species. Please visit our Human-Wildlife Conflicts Program page for helpful resources.
The Human-Wildlife Conflicts Program provides technical assistance and support to staff, interested parties, the diverse public, and local communities.
Wildlife Watch is a community-based model inspired by the Neighborhood Watch program that emphasizes respect for people and wildlife.
Let's work together!
To ensure a sustainable future for fish and wildlife in California - and their enjoyment for generations to come – CDFW uses a collaborative approach to identify and address threats.
Learn more about CDFW's vision, values, and mission to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and habitats - for their ecological values and their use and enjoyment by the public.
The Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation Unit uses robust social science to investigate the role people play in conservation and management issues.
Learn how CDFW conducts novel research to help make scientifically-sound decisions about fish and wildlife in California.
Whether you live in a city, rural or remote areas of California, wild animals are our neighbors. As our human population grows and expands into wildlife habitat, human-wildlife interactions have increased. Most wildlife naturally fear or avoid humans. They will keep their distance – so long as they remain fully wild. Please visit Keep Me Wild to learn more.
Many wildlife can be seen day or night. A wild animal that is active during the day may be normal and healthy.
As the human population grows, human-wildlife interactions and wildlife sightings may increase.
In California, one example is coyotes and foxes in urban environments.
Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or facility to report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.
You may also contact a local animal services division for information or possible assistance.
CDFW proudly works with agencies, organizations, and volunteers to to ensure quality rehabilitation of injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife for the purpose of release to the wild.
Wildlife provide valuable ecosystem benefits.
Many "nuisance" species are harmless and may be managed to reduce conflict. Safe co-existence is possible.
Fish & Game Code § 4152
Report wildlife that cause damage to your property or harm your domestic animals to the CDFW Wildlife Incident Reporting online system or Regional Office.
Fish and Game Code § 4181
No, it is not legal in California to keep native wildlife as pets. Wildlife have special dietary and housing needs. They can also transmit diseases dangerous to humans and other animals. Wild animals in captivity may pose a risk to public safety. Keep wildlife wild.
CDFW also receives questions about why some non-native animals (e.g. ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders) are not allowed as pets in California.
Contact your local Animal Services Division for information and assistance regarding domestic animals (living or dead) on private or public property.
CDFW does not remove domestic animals or livestock (living or dead) from private or public property.
Contact the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to report dead, injured, sick, entangled or stranded marine mammals at (866) 767-6114.
Always keep a safe distance—it’s good advice, and it's the law.