The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has successfully captured, collared, and released 12 gray wolves across Northern California, marking a significant milestone in efforts to monitor and manage the species. With more wolves now fitted with satellite collars than ever before, wildlife officials hope to gain valuable insight into wolf behavior, movement patterns, and interactions with livestock.
Expanding Gray Wolf Monitoring
CDFW’s recent collaring operations, conducted from January 14 through the end of the month, targeted wolves in Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, and Sierra counties. Working alongside contracted aircraft and a specialized capture team, biologists were able to safely fit satellite collars on wolves from three packs:
- Beyem Seyo Pack (Sierra County) – 5 wolves collared, including one previously collared individual.
- Harvey Pack (Lassen County) – 5 wolves collared, including one previously collared individual.
- Whaleback Pack (Siskiyou County) – 2 wolves collared.
In total, seven females and five males were equipped with collars, while biologists also collected DNA, blood samples, and body measurements to monitor health, disease, and genetic connections between individuals and packs.
Why Satellite Collars Matter
According to Axel Hunnicutt, CDFW’s Statewide Gray Wolf Coordinator, the collaring efforts exceeded expectations and will significantly improve conservation and management strategies.
“Having multiple collared wolves in each pack, especially younger individuals, will allow us to track their movements, study their diet, and observe how they disperse from their packs,” Hunnicutt explained.
While the collars don’t provide real-time tracking, they record wolf locations several times per day and transmit the data periodically to CDFW. Each collar has a battery life of two to three years and is programmed to detach before the battery runs out.
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California’s Growing Wolf Population
Currently, CDFW has confirmed the existence of seven wolf packs in California. However, pack numbers can fluctuate due to natural changes in wolf populations. For instance, the Beyem Seyo and Antelope packs recently merged, reducing the overall count from nine to seven since Fall 2024.
Recent Wolf Developments in California
🔹 New Wolf Packs Discovered
Two new packs were confirmed in late 2024:
- The Diamond Pack, located in eastern Plumas and southern Lassen counties.
- The Ice Cave Pack, identified near Lassen Volcanic National Park.
🔹 Health Concerns in the Yowlumni Pack
Wolves in Tulare County’s Yowlumni Pack have been diagnosed with sarcoptic mange, a disease caused by parasitic mites. The condition can lead to hair loss, skin irritation, infections, and, in severe cases, death. While some wolves recover naturally, others may suffer from emaciation and increased vulnerability. CDFW continues to monitor the pack closely and is working with wildlife disease experts to assess the situation. No signs of mange have been detected in the newly collared wolves in Northern California.
🔹 California Wolf Project Releases 2024 Annual Report
The California Wolf Project (CAWP), a joint effort between CDFW and UC Berkeley’s Rausser College of Natural Resources, has released its 2024 Annual Report. The project focuses on wolf habitat use, diet, interactions with other wildlife, and livestock conflicts.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Wolf Conservation Efforts
CDFW plans to release its first official annual report on the status of California’s gray wolves in April 2025. This will complement the existing Quarterly Wolf News and Updates, which are regularly shared online.
As California’s wolf population continues to expand, wildlife officials emphasize the importance of tracking and studying these apex predators to ensure effective conservation and conflict mitigation strategies
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