Cash, a one-year-old gray wolf, and one of his brothers look on after they tipped over a barrel with the Philadelphia Eagles logo on it and decided which team they support in the upcoming Super Bowl LIX on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Memphis Zoo.
California – California’s gray wolf population continues to expand, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is ramping up efforts to manage the species and support communities living alongside them. At the end of 2024, seven wolf packs were documented in the state, with four additional areas of known wolf activity. Most of these packs are located in northeastern California, while one is situated in the southern Sierra Nevada.
Five of these seven packs met the CDFW’s definition of a “breeding pair” in 2024, meaning they consisted of two adults and two or more pups surviving by the end of the year. This development marks a significant milestone, as it triggers the start of “Phase 2” in California’s gray wolf management, as outlined in the state’s 2016 Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves.
The 2016 plan, which was developed after extensive collaboration across various stakeholders, serves as the foundation for California’s gray wolf recovery efforts. Phase 2, as specified by the plan, includes a number of key actions aimed at managing and monitoring wolf populations while addressing concerns from local communities, particularly those involved in livestock production.
Key components of the Phase 2 management plan include a review of the gray wolf population’s status, which will include public and tribal input, along with independent peer reviews. CDFW also plans to evaluate legal pathways under the California and Federal Endangered Species Acts to potentially allow for more aggressive hazing techniques in specific situations to reduce conflict between wolves and livestock.
Additionally, the CDFW will release a new online tool to provide real-time location data for GPS-collared wolves, helping to minimize conflicts with livestock producers. The department will also release its first annual report summarizing its gray wolf conservation activities from 2015 to 2024, highlighting efforts to track and manage wolf populations and investigate livestock depredations.
In support of local livestock producers, CDFW has continued its Wolf Livestock Compensation Program, which compensates ranchers for verified livestock losses caused by wolves. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $3.1 million in compensation. The department has also expanded its monitoring efforts, including GPS-collaring wolves to track their movements and behaviors more effectively.
CDFW continues to engage with the public, livestock producers, and conservation organizations to share updates and solicit input on the evolving management strategies. As California’s gray wolf population grows, these efforts are critical in balancing conservation goals with the needs of local communities.
