According to a recent report by the California Department of Fish and Game, five wolf families in California have given birth to pups this year, doubling the state’s wolf population. The new 30 pups bring the total number of wolves in California to 62.
Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed excitement about the news. It’s inspiring to see wolves return to their former homes and have new pups, he said.
The state now has seven known wolf families. This year, the Lassen, Whaleback, Beyem Seyo, Harvey, Antelope, and Yowlumni packs all had pups, with the Antelope pack leading with 15 pups.
These wolf families live in parts of six counties: Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, and Tulare.
Weiss views the increase as a positive sign and a result of effective conservation efforts. This growth reflects the strong enforcement of federal and state endangered species laws, he noted.
Wolves were reintroduced to California after being absent for over 80 years. The first confirmed wolf in the state since 1924 appeared in 2011, when a male gray wolf named OR-7 crossed from Oregon.
Weiss is hopeful but emphasizes the need for continued protection. Having around 62 wolves is a great start, but we must ensure they remain protected to fully recover and thrive.
Wolves have been protected in California under the federal Endangered Species Act since the 1970s.
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