Wolves in California: Where They Live, Risk to Humans, and Diet

Source：AZ Animals Time：January 23, 2024

Wolves are a common wild canid that lives throughout the United States. Despite the eradication of wolves in California in the early 1920’s, new populations have started emerging. Although there are not exact numbers, there are at least seven wolfpacks present in California with other individuals roaming the state. As the population of wolves begins to increase again, it’s important to know a little bit about these canines. Continue reading for more information on the wolves in California during this recolonization period.

Wolves in California

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a native species of animal in California. However, they were extirpated in the 1920s. Extirpation refers to the destruction of a mode of propagation, whereas eradication refers to a group of individuals being driven out of an area. The likely reason for this extreme control and removal of the wolf population is to control predation on other animals.

The original male wolf that started the reintroduction of wolves in California appears to have been born in Oregon in 2009. The wolf, known as OR7, eventually made his way into California along with others, though temporarily. Although OR7 made his way back to Oregon, his presence was notable as the first wild wolf to be seen in California in decades. Slowly but surely, more wolves made the trek from surrounding areas to begin to recolonize the Golden State.

Known Habitats

The wolf population in California is highly monitored, and so far seven wolf packs have been identified, though not all have names yet. Wolves are highly adaptable animals and can live in mountainous regions, forests, deserts, and even in urban areas where their populations are high enough. The wolf packs in California are in Lassen, Plumas, Tehama, Siskiyou, and Tulare Counties, which are in the northwestern part of the state. The named packs are the Whaleback Pack, Lassen Pack, and Beckwourth Pack.

Fortunately, there is some record that the wolves are reproducing. Two of the seven wolf packs have had litters of puppies each year, with the Lassen and Whaleback Packs having litters since 2017 and 2021, respectively. Some unnamed wolf packs are also reliably reproducing.

Diet and Behavior

Wolves, like other canines, are primarily carnivorous though they might opportunistically eat fruits or plants. A wolf’s diet could also depend on its location and the season. Their primary targets tend to be large prey animals, like elk or deer. However, their primary diet relies heavily on smaller mammals. Rabbits, hares, rodents, or beavers are common staples in a wolf’s diet, though birds, fish, and reptiles might make their way in there, too.

Seasons can also play a role in what a wolf gets to eat. If their preference is not widely available during a given season, the wolves might have to resort to some other options. This could mean eating carcasses, trash, or attacking livestock. Instances of wolves treading near human territory are more common in areas with a higher wolf population. Fewer natural areas for them to inhabit and hunt force them towards urban areas.

Risk to Humans

Wolf attacks are fairly rare, with only about 18 reports of wolf aggression towards humans taking place in the last 40 years in California. Although wolves don’t tend to make a habit of approaching humans, instances where a human and/or pet encounters a wolf can occur. Here are some tips to avoid a potentially dangerous encounter with a wolf:

Do not feed or approach the wolves.
Avoid eye contact or running if you encounter one.
Throw something at the wolf or make loud noises while slowly retreating to safety.
Avoid touching the carcass of a wolf without gloves and wash properly after contact. Wolves can carry parasites like tapeworms that might be able to pass to humans.

In California, gray wolves are an endangered species and cannot be harmed or captured, even if you’re defending a pet. To avoid a run-in with a wolf while you’re out with your dog, you can do some of the following:

Use collars with bells or other noise-making accessories to deter wolves.
Make your presence known by talking loudly.
Use leashes when walking your dog, and be sure they’re able to stay close to you.
Avoid walking at night with your pet if possible.

Conservation

As an endangered species that is slowly recolonizing the state, California is taking steps to conserve the wild wolf population that is emerging. One of the main efforts of conservation is to reduce wolf-livestock conflict. These conflicts can be devasting to small-scale ranchers if they lose their livestock to wolves. Increasing populations of wolves can make ranchers very wary, but organizations like the California Wolf Foundation are actively coming up with ways to avoid conflicts. They even have a livestock loss compensation program to help offset livestock mortality from wolves.