Gray wolves are present in California, marking a significant return for a species absent from the state for nearly a century. Their re-establishment follows a long period when they were considered extirpated, meaning locally extinct, from California’s landscapes. This re-emergence reflects broader patterns of wildlife recovery and dispersal across the western United States. While their numbers are still relatively small, their presence indicates a natural recolonization process.
Recolonization of California
Gray wolves were historically present across California, from the Coastal Range to the Sierra Nevadas. However, by the mid-1920s, wolves were eradicated from the state due to hunting and predator control efforts. The last confirmed native wolf in California was collected in Lassen County in 1924, ending their continuous presence.
The natural return of wolves to California began in late 2011 with a male wolf OR-7, known as “Journey,” who dispersed from Oregon. OR-7 was the first confirmed wild wolf in California in 87 years, traveling over 1,000 miles through northern California counties like Siskiyou, Shasta, and Lassen. His journey highlighted the potential for natural recolonization from neighboring states.
Following OR-7’s movements, the first resident wolf pack in California, the Shasta Pack, was confirmed in 2015 in eastern Siskiyou County. This pack, whose breeding wolves originated from Oregon’s Imnaha Pack, produced five pups. Although the Shasta Pack is no longer active, its establishment signaled a new chapter for wolves in California.
Current Wolf Presence and Locations
California currently hosts several gray wolf packs. Their populations are steadily increasing through natural reproduction and continued dispersal from other states. As of late 2024, there were seven confirmed wolf packs within California, alongside four additional areas indicating wolf activity. The total number of known wolves in the state was around 50 at the beginning of 2025.
These packs are primarily located in northeastern California. The Lassen Pack, established in 2017, utilizes a broad territory across western Lassen and northern Plumas counties. The Whaleback Pack in Siskiyou County had seven pups in 2021. The Beyem Seyo Pack operates in Plumas County, while the Harvey Pack is found in Lassen County.
Other confirmed packs include the Yowlumni Pack in Tulare County, representing the southernmost known wolf presence in the Sierra Nevada. Recently named packs like the Diamond Pack and Ice Cave Pack are identified in Plumas/Lassen counties and Shasta/Tehama/Lassen/Plumas counties, respectively. The Beckwourth Pack, once active in Plumas County, is no longer active; its former territory is now utilized by the Beyem Seyo Pack.
Conservation Status and Management
Gray wolves in California receive legal protections at both state and federal levels. They are classified as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and federally protected under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act (ESA). This dual protection prohibits the harassment or killing of wolves in the state, even in cases of livestock depredation.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) manages the species via its 2016 Conservation Plan. This plan outlines strategies for monitoring wolf populations, preventing conflicts, and promoting coexistence with human activities. The CDFW has recently entered “Phase 2” of its wolf management plan, triggered by the confirmation of at least four breeding pairs for two consecutive years.
Phase 2 involves actions like a comprehensive review of wolf status and exploration of legal pathways for more aggressive non-lethal hazing methods to deter wolves from livestock. The CDFW also provides compensation to ranchers for confirmed livestock losses due to wolves and supports non-lethal deterrence measures. These management efforts aim to balance the recovery of wolves with the concerns of local communities.