California Confirms 3 New Wolf Packs, Totaling 10 Statewide

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California's gray wolf population just hit a major milestone with three new packs confirmed in the northern region, bringing the state total to ten.

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The Ishi, Tunnison, and Ashpan packs are now established in Tehama, Lassen, and Shasta counties after months of careful monitoring by wildlife officials.

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These wolves represent an amazing comeback story—gray wolves were completely wiped out in California by the mid-1920s and didn't return until 2011.

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The journey began when a single wolf called OR-7 crossed from Oregon into California, paving the way for the first pack to form in 2015.

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What happens when apex predators return? For ranchers, it's complicated—CDFW confirmed 18 wolf attacks on livestock in just two months this spring.

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The economic toll is substantial: research shows one wolf can cause up to $162,000 in losses through direct kills and stress effects on cattle.

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Five Northern California counties have declared states of emergency over wolf concerns, with officials citing wolves "coming too close to homes" and "showing no fear of people."

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California has entered "Phase 2" of its wolf management plan, exploring non-lethal deterrents like rubber bullets while maintaining full legal protection for the wolves.

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To help ranchers track wolf movements, CDFW launched a mapping system showing locations of 14 GPS-collared wolves across the state.

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Conservation groups point out that wolf conflicts are "rare and preventable" and emphasize wolves' role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

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The West Coast now hosts 78 wolf territories across California, Oregon and Washington—yet many suitable habitats remain empty.

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Can humans and wolves successfully coexist in modern California? The next few years will be crucial in finding that balance.

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