Two new wolf packs have been discovered in Northern California, marking a significant moment for the area’s wildlife. This comes a century after gray wolves vanished from the state.
Officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have confirmed that these wolves are indeed back in the region. One of the packs is not yet named and consists of four wolves, including two pups. This pack is located south of Lassen Volcanic National Park, around 75 miles southeast of Redding.
“This finding is important,” stated Axel Hunnicutt, a wolf biologist with the state. He noted that these recent sightings, along with another pack observed, show that California’s wolf population is growing both in number and range.
The second pack identified has been named the Diamond pack, which consists of two adult wolves spotted approximately 50 miles north of Lake Tahoe. Biologists have been monitoring this pair to determine if they meet the criteria to be officially recognized as a pack, which requires multiple sightings over a set period.
Currently, there are nine confirmed wolf packs in California, with three new ones identified this year alone, showcasing a successful recovery effort for this species.
Historically, gray wolves thrived in California from the mid-1800s until the early 1900s but faced extinction due to hunting and habitat loss by the 1920s. They are now classified as both federally and state endangered. A significant moment for wildlife in California occurred in 2011 when a wolf crossed the border from Oregon, becoming the first to return to the state in many years.
In recent legislative efforts, a bill aimed at removing gray wolves from the endangered species list was passed, although it faced pushback from the current administration.
Despite their reputation for avoiding humans, the return of wolves raises concerns for local ranchers, as these predators can prey on livestock, including calves. The wolves can weigh up to 150 pounds, making them formidable hunters.
Under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, harming these animals is illegal in most cases. Hunnicutt has expressed some concerns about the implications of the growing wolf population, especially regarding its impact on local communities and agriculture.
Overall, while the return of the gray wolf can be seen as a success for wildlife conservation, it also brings challenges that need careful consideration from both state officials and local residents.
