Two new wolf packs have been spotted in Northern California, signaling a continued recovery of gray wolves in the state nearly a century after they vanished. Wildlife officials confirmed the presence of these packs earlier this month, marking a significant milestone in the species’ return.
One of the packs, yet to be named, consists of four wolves, including two pups. They are located south of Lassen Volcanic National Park, approximately 75 miles southeast of Redding. This discovery is especially notable, as it demonstrates the ongoing expansion of California’s wolf population, according to Axel Hunnicutt, a wolf biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The second pack, known as the Diamond Pack, was sighted about 50 miles north of Lake Tahoe. This pack, made up of two adult wolves, has been under observation since last year to determine if they met the criteria for being classified as an official pack. One requirement is that the wolves are seen together in the same area at least four times over a six-month period.
Currently, California is home to nine confirmed wolf packs, including three new ones this year alone. Gray wolves were once common in the state from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s but were driven to extinction in California by hunting and habitat loss. The last known California wolf disappeared by the 1920s.
After decades of absence, wolves began returning to California in 2011 when a wolf crossed the Oregon-California border and settled in the state. This marked the first confirmed wolf presence in California in nearly 90 years.
Despite their protected status under both state and federal endangered species laws, the resurgence of wolves has raised concerns among locals, especially ranchers. There have been reports of calves being killed by wolves, which can weigh up to 150 pounds. While these predators typically avoid human contact, their return has sparked mixed feelings, as noted by Hunnicutt. He acknowledged the challenges the growing wolf population presents to the agricultural community, but also emphasized the importance of protecting this endangered species.
In May 2024, a bill was passed to remove wolves from the endangered species list in most of the U.S., though this move faced opposition from the Biden administration. As the wolf population grows in California, the state continues to balance conservation efforts with the concerns of those affected by their presence.
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