We have grey wolves! The Shasta Pack was documented recently by California Dept of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) trail cameras. Earlier photos in May and July showed two adults and the new photos found five pups estimated to be a few months old.
CDFW photo
Photos and info from CDFW News
Wild wolves historically inhabited California, but were extirpated. Aside from these wolves and the famous wolf OR7 who entered California in December 2011, the last confirmed wolf in the state was here in 1924. OR7 has not been in California for more than a year and is currently the breeding male of the Rogue Pack in southern Oregon.
Grey wolves are protected as Endangered by the California Endangered Species Act as of 2014, as well as under the federal ESA. CDFW is preparing a Draft Wolf Management Plan.
Currently, CDFW is incorporating comments from a stakeholder advisory group, and considering revisions due to implications of this news, before releasing the draft plan to the general public. Public meetings will be scheduled to receive public comment on the draft plan.
Trail cameras as well as direct sightings of wolves are used to evaluate the status of resident and visiting wolves. If you see one, please report it to CDFW through the
Grey Wolf Sighting Report.