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CDFW Captures and Collars 12 Gray Wolves in Northern California [1]
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Date: 2025-02-14
The Delta smelt has become virtually extinct in the wild as Central Valley salmon populations move closer and closer to extinction, but one wild animal species is on the increase in California.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the recent capture, collar and release of 12 gray wolves in northern California.
“There are now more satellite-collared wolves in California than ever before, which is expected to improve understanding and management of the species in the state,” according to a press release from the CDFW.
“The captures exceeded our expectations and will enhance our ability to monitor our wolf population both for conservation and recovery and also to help mitigate conflict with livestock,” said Axel Hunnicutt, CDFW’s Statewide Gray Wolf Coordinator.
Capture operations occurred from Jan. 14 through the end of that month across Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties. With the aid of contracted aircraft and a capture crew, wolves from the Whaleback, Harvey, and Beyem Seyo packs were captured, reported Hunnicutt.
“In addition to fitting each wolf with a satellite collar, biologists recorded body measurement and collected biological samples, including DNA and blood. Those samples allow CDFW to monitor wolves for diseases and to determine the relatedness of individuals and packs. The wolves were released at their capture locations,” he stated.
“Having multiple collars in each of these packs, especially those on younger wolves, will not only aid current studies looking at diet and land-use preferences, but also will provide data on when and where they disperse when leaving their packs,” Hunnicutt said.
Of the 12 collared wolves, seven were female and five were male:
Five were captured from the Beyem Seyo pack in Sierra County, including one that had been previously collared;
Five were captured from the Harvey pack in Lassen County, including one that had been previously collared;
Two were captured from the Whaleback pack in Siskiyou County.
“Satellite-collaring gray wolves is an important management and research tool to help monitor populations, understand landscape use patterns and minimize livestock conflicts. The collars do not provide real-time data. Instead, the collars collect wolf locations several times daily and periodically transmit those locations to CDFW. The battery life of the satellite collars is about two to three years. They are programmed to drop off the animal before the battery is depleted,” Hunnicutt revealed.
“CDFW is currently aware of seven wolf packs in California. While nine packs were reported in the fall of 2024, wolf packs can be fluid. For example, the Beyem Seyo and Antelope packs recently merged,” he added.
More information about California’s wolves can be found on CDFW’s gray wolf web page.
In other recent gray wolf developments:
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