Big Bear, California, a popular mountain destination, captivates many with its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. This interest often leads to questions about the animals inhabiting its forests, including whether wolves roam the area. Understanding the local ecosystem helps clarify the presence of various species.
Are Wolves in Big Bear?
Wild wolves do not have an established, breeding population in the Big Bear region of California. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo houses gray wolves for rehabilitation and education, but these are not wild animals roaming the local mountains. Any reports of wolves in the immediate Big Bear area are unconfirmed or refer to other canid species.
Occasional transient wolves could pass through, but there is no evidence of packs or consistent wolf activity specifically within the San Bernardino Mountains where Big Bear is located. The historical range of wolves in California included various parts of the state, but they were largely extirpated by the 1920s.
Big Bear’s Native Canids and Wildlife
While wild wolves are not present, Big Bear is home to other native canids and a variety of wildlife that thrive in the San Bernardino Mountains. Coyotes are commonly seen throughout the Big Bear area, adapting to various habitats. These adaptable canines play a role in the ecosystem by controlling small mammal populations. They are identifiable by their narrow jaw, large pointed ears, and bushy tails. Coyotes communicate through various vocalizations, including howls and barks.
Other notable wildlife includes bobcats and black bears. Bobcats, with their distinctive bobbed tails, are more elusive felines. They are solitary hunters, active mostly at night, but their presence can be identified by tracks or territorial markings.
Black bears, though the area is named “Big Bear,” are the only bear species in the region, as California’s grizzly bears were extirpated by the early 20th century. Black bears are shy and smaller than grizzlies. Deer, mountain lions, and gray foxes are also part of Big Bear’s diverse ecosystem.
Wolves in California
Gray wolves have recolonized California, with the first confirmed wild wolf, OR-7, arriving in late 2011 from Oregon. This marked the return for the species to the state. The first resident wolf pack, the Shasta Pack, was confirmed in 2015.
As of 2024-2025, California has around ten known wolf packs, primarily in the northern parts of the state. These packs are concentrated in northern counties like Siskiyou, Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, and Tehama.
The gray wolf is protected as an endangered species under both federal and California state law, which prohibits harassment or killing of the animals. Conservation efforts include monitoring wolf populations, investigating new activity areas, and implementing programs to compensate ranchers for livestock losses due to wolf activity. The state’s wolf population is estimated at around 50 to 70 wolves across California as of late 2024 and early 2025.