Gray wolves are present in Northern California, marking a significant return to their historical range. Their re-establishment highlights natural dispersal processes and ongoing conservation efforts. These apex predators are once again influencing the state’s ecosystems.
Where Wolves Are Found in Northern California
Gray wolves have established a presence across several Northern California counties. Wildlife officials have confirmed ten wolf packs, with their territories spanning areas in Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties. This growing number of packs indicates a successful re-establishment of the species. The total number of wolves in California is estimated to be around 50 to 70 individuals.
Specific packs include:
Ashpan (eastern Shasta County)
Ishi (eastern Tehama County)
Tunnison (central Lassen County)
Beyem Seyo (Plumas County)
Diamond (Plumas and Lassen counties)
Harvey (Lassen County)
Ice Cave (Shasta, Tehama, Lassen, and Plumas counties)
Lassen (southern Lassen and northern Plumas counties)
Whaleback (Siskiyou County)
Yowlumni (Tulare County)
Smaller groups of two or three wolves, which do not yet qualify as full packs, have also been documented in southern Modoc and southern Plumas counties.
How Wolves Returned to California
Wolves were historically native to California but were eliminated from the state by the 1920s. Their return began through a natural dispersal process from growing wolf populations in neighboring states, primarily Oregon. The first documented wild wolf in California in nearly a century was a male named OR-7, who crossed into the state from Oregon in December 2011.
OR-7, also known as Journey, a radio-collared wolf from Oregon’s Imnaha Pack, traveled extensively through northeastern California counties before returning to Oregon in 2013. While OR-7 did not establish a pack in California, his journey demonstrated the feasibility of wolves naturally recolonizing the state. Relatives of OR-7 later formed the state’s first confirmed pack, the Shasta Pack, in 2015, though this pack later disappeared. Subsequent dispersal events have led to the formation of new packs.
Protecting and Tracking Wolves
Gray wolves in California receive protection under both state and federal laws. They are listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act and the federal Endangered Species Act, which prohibits their harm, capture, or killing anywhere in the state. This protected status is aimed at supporting the recovery of the species. State agencies and conservation groups actively monitor the wolf population to ensure their continued presence and to manage potential interactions.
Tracking methods monitor wolf movements and population dynamics. Biologists utilize GPS collars on individual wolves to gather data on their locations and behaviors. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) also relies on public sightings and scat analysis as monitoring tools. To aid in coexistence, the CDFW recently launched the “Wolf Location Automated Mapping System,” an online tool that provides approximate locations of GPS-collared wolves to the public, particularly livestock producers, to help prevent conflicts.
Wolves’ Role in the Ecosystem
As apex predators, wolves play a role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. They primarily prey on large herbivores such as deer and elk, which helps regulate these populations. This regulation can prevent overgrazing, allowing plant communities, including trees like aspen and willow, to regenerate and thrive.
The presence of wolves also influences biodiversity within a habitat. By managing herbivore numbers, they contribute to a more balanced food web that supports other species. Additionally, wolf kills provide carrion, which serves as a food source for scavengers like ravens, eagles, and bears, enriching the nutrient cycle within the ecosystem.