The Wild Legacy: A Brief History of Wolves in California
Did you know? California boasts the highest diversity of plants and animals among all states, and it comprises roughly a third of the nation's total species! There are over 700 species of California wildlife that span from amphibians, birds, reptiles, to mammals. The Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) is 1 of 250 species listed under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). In this blog series, we will be exploring the fascinating past of wolves in California and discussing how federal and state policies are working to protect this threatened species from extinction.
Historical Overview
Wolves are nomadic animals, constantly moving from place to place either in packs or alone. Larger wolf populations currently inhabit Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, whereas smaller populations live in Washington and Oregon. Given their mobile nature, wolves have been historically known to disperse south to California (most likely from Oregon). In the 1800s, wolves were observed in California regions of the Central Valley, the western slope of the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains, and the Coastal Ranges.
In the 1920s, wolves native to California were pushed out. Human activity was the leading cause of the eradication of wolves in the state. Wolves were built up to be feared and were profiled as predators that posed a threat to humans. They were killed to prevent predation on other animals in human-populated areas. As a result, wolf populations were negatively impacted for generations. For example, in 1977 the Mexican Gray wolf (subspecies of the gray wolf) was nearly wiped out with only 13 left in the wild because of these anti-predator campaigns. In reality, wolves pose little to no risk to humans and typically stay as far away as possible from us.
Fast forward to 2011, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) started tracking a male wolf named “OR7” of the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon. In December of 2011, OR7 dispersed from his pack and embarked on a journey down to California. Making him the first documented wolf in California since the 1920s. This verifies that California is a viable habitat for wolves and can support the return of this keystone species.
As of 2023, Northern California is home to seven verified wolf packs: Lassen, Beckwourth, Whaleback, Yowlumni, Beyen Sayo, Harvey, and an unnamed pack. These findings emphasize the ecological importance of these apex predators, warranting the need for ongoing conservation efforts.
The Need for Protection
To protect animal and plant species at risk of extinction, California enacted the environmental law CESA in 1970. A CESA-listed species, or any part or product of the plant or animal, may not be imported into the state, exported out of the state, “taken” (i.e., killed), possessed, purchased, or sold without proper authorization.
Gray wolves are listed under both the CESA and the federal Endangered Species Act. With state and federal protection combined with conservation research and programs, the future for wolves in California is full of hope.
You Can Help Support Wolf Conservation
Efforts in gray wolf conservation are made possible by the support of people like you! There are a variety of easy ways you can help the CWC further our mission in wild wolf recovery:
Become a CWC member
Attend one of our tours or webinars
Participate in our volunteer opportunities
Donate
Shop in our online gift shop or Nature Store in downtown Julian
Purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist
Simply spread the word about wolves and CWC’s mission
Even by reading this blog, you are being a part of the solution for a better understanding of wolves and ultimately a better tomorrow. The CWC will continue our unwavering endeavors in wolf conservation to secure a healthier world for wolves and all of us who inhabit it!
Written by Caitlin D