CDFW has posted its Quarterly Wolf News Updates: October - December 2024 (PDF), a new Approximate Area of Gray Wolf Activity Map (February 2025)(PDF), and an updated version of the Known Wolves - February 2025 (PDF).
CDFW's most recent Quarterly Wolf News Update: October - December 2024, highlights known packs, areas of wolf activity, a summary of wolf-livestock depredation investigations, and program communications for the quarter.;
The new map of Approximate Area of Gray Wolf Activity, reflects known wolf activity as of February 2025 based on CDFW's monitoring of the species in the state. CDFW relies on help from the public to determine the presence of new wolf activity in the state and encourages the public to report potential wolf sightings on it's Gray Wolf Sightings Report page.
Gray Wolf Sighting ReportCDFW relies on help from the public to determine if and where wolves may occur in California. Please complete the form below to submit your sighting of wolves and/or wolf sign, as well as your contact information. You may also provide photos of your sighting using the photo upload feature below. A CDFW biologist may contact you for additional information.
Please report a killed animal immediately to (530) 225-2300 or [email protected].
CDFW Wolf Livestock Compensation GrantsUPDATE: As of October 28, 2024, CDFW is now accepting Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program applications for Direct Loss (Prong 1).
Livestock producers who have had a “confirmed” or “probable” wolf depredation on or after July 1, 2024, may submit a completed Livestock Loss Application (PDF) form to [email protected]. Wolf depredations are determined through an official investigation and documented by CDFW on a Livestock Loss Determination Form.
In 2024, the California state legislature appropriated $600,000 to CDFW to continue funding the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program (WLCP). Due to the limited funds available to support the Wolf Livestock Compensation Program, CDFW is prioritizing direct loss compensation at this time, and is not seeking applications for non-lethal deterrents (Prong 2) or pay for presence (Prong 3).
Pilot ProgramIn 2021, the California State Legislature appropriated $3 million to CDFW to develop a Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program to help minimize the impact of wolves on livestock producers based on the following areas of need (prongs): Direct livestock loss (prong 1); Nonlethal deterrents (prong 2); Pay for presence (prong 3). An interim program was launched to receive applications for Prong 1 in February 2022 and Prong 2 in May 2022. The pilot program for compensation of all three prongs launched in June 2023 and ran until funds were exhausted in March 2024.
Eligible livestock producers received 100% of the $3 million allocated by the Legislature. A total of 109 grants were awarded to producers with livestock in the following areas of known wolf activity: Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, Tulare Counties.
Participation in the pilot program was voluntary and open to all eligible producers. Applications were processed on a first-come basis through a multi-step, tiered internal review process to confirm eligibility.
Related Forms and Documents
A Wolf Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) was formally convened by CDFW for development of a California Wolf Conservation Plan (Plan). The first SWG Meeting was held February 5, 2013. The SWG also formed the following subgroups: Wolf-Conservation Subgroup, Wolf-Livestock Interactions Subgroup, Wolf-Ungulate Interactions Subgroup. The SWG subgroups engaged in joint fact-finding to provide recommendations and help inform development of the Plan. CDFW provided the first comprehensive draft for SWG review in December 2014.
OR-7 – A Lone Wolf's StoryBackground
Gray Wolf (OR-7). Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.The male wolf known as “OR7” was born into the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon in spring 2009. He weighed approximately 90 pounds when collared with a radio transmitter by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in February 2011. He is referred to by biologists as OR7 because he was the seventh wolf radio-collared in Oregon. His GPS collar transmitted location information to satellites daily until 2014, at which time it stopped functioning because the batteries expired. The VHF portion of his collar still transmits and he can be detected with an antenna.
OR7 left his natal pack in 2011. The dispersal of younger individuals from a pack is common. Dispersing wolves generally attempt to join other packs, carve out new territories within occupied habitat, or form their own pack in unoccupied habitat.
Dispersal – OregonOR7 dispersed from the Imnaha pack in September 2011. Between September and early November he followed an approximately southwesterly course that took him across parts of Baker, Grant, Harney, Deschutes, Lake, Klamath and Douglas counties. During that journey he crossed Interstate 84 and U.S. Routes 26, 395, 20 and 97.
Between November 8 and December 23, OR7’s movements slowed and he occupied a broad area near the crest of the southern Cascades. This area included portions of Jackson and Klamath counties and included much of the Sky Lakes Wilderness. Field work conducted by ODFW determined that OR7 visited an elk carcass and livestock carcasses (bone pile) in this area. On November 14, an animal thought likely to be OR7 was photographed by a hunter’s trail camera on public land east of Butte Falls.
In late December, OR7 left the Sky Lakes area and headed south-southwest to near Howard Prairie Lake and Oregon Route 66. He then turned eastward, ultimately crossing the Klamath River and Highway 97. On December 28, he crossed into California northeast of Dorris, a small town in Siskiyou County.
Dispersal – California
Map of OR7's path in California (PDF)(opens in new tab)
This map contains data through April 23, 2013
While visiting California, OR7 traveled in the southern Cascades, across portions of the Modoc Plateau, in the Lassen and Plumas National Forests, and as far south as Tehama, Shasta, and Butte counties. His average daily movement was approximately 15 air miles. Since animals do not typically walk in straight lines, the actual distance traveled was likely much larger.
Dispersing wolves can readily traverse most habitat types and OR7 passed through ponderosa pine forests, mixed conifer forests, lava flows, sagebrush shrublands, juniper woodlands and agricultural lands. Although he did use private lands (timberlands in particular), he traversed public lands for most of his route. No public safety incidents or agricultural losses stemming from wolf damage were reported in California while OR7 occurred here.
OR7 crossed the border from California to Oregon and back several times, finally mating and establishing a territory in Klamath and Jackson counties, Oregon in 2013. OR7 and his mate produced 3 pups in 2014. Evidence shows that they produced a second litter in 2015 but the details are unknown at this time.
On March 12/13, 2013, Wolf OR7 returned to Oregon then made a brief return to California on April 20, 2013. Again, OR7 returned to Oregon on April 23, 2013. We will not post updates while he is in Oregon. Wolves in Oregon are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Oregon does not post daily location information on wolves. For more information, please visit Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife(opens in new tab).
CDFW's most recent Quarterly Wolf News Update: October - December 2024, highlights known packs, areas of wolf activity, a summary of wolf-livestock depredation investigations, and program communications for the quarter.;
The new map of Approximate Area of Gray Wolf Activity, reflects known wolf activity as of February 2025 based on CDFW's monitoring of the species in the state. CDFW relies on help from the public to determine the presence of new wolf activity in the state and encourages the public to report potential wolf sightings on it's Gray Wolf Sightings Report page.
Gray Wolf Sighting ReportCDFW relies on help from the public to determine if and where wolves may occur in California. Please complete the form below to submit your sighting of wolves and/or wolf sign, as well as your contact information. You may also provide photos of your sighting using the photo upload feature below. A CDFW biologist may contact you for additional information.
Please report a killed animal immediately to (530) 225-2300 or [email protected].
CDFW Wolf Livestock Compensation GrantsUPDATE: As of October 28, 2024, CDFW is now accepting Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program applications for Direct Loss (Prong 1).
Livestock producers who have had a “confirmed” or “probable” wolf depredation on or after July 1, 2024, may submit a completed Livestock Loss Application (PDF) form to [email protected]. Wolf depredations are determined through an official investigation and documented by CDFW on a Livestock Loss Determination Form.
In 2024, the California state legislature appropriated $600,000 to CDFW to continue funding the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program (WLCP). Due to the limited funds available to support the Wolf Livestock Compensation Program, CDFW is prioritizing direct loss compensation at this time, and is not seeking applications for non-lethal deterrents (Prong 2) or pay for presence (Prong 3).
Pilot ProgramIn 2021, the California State Legislature appropriated $3 million to CDFW to develop a Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program to help minimize the impact of wolves on livestock producers based on the following areas of need (prongs): Direct livestock loss (prong 1); Nonlethal deterrents (prong 2); Pay for presence (prong 3). An interim program was launched to receive applications for Prong 1 in February 2022 and Prong 2 in May 2022. The pilot program for compensation of all three prongs launched in June 2023 and ran until funds were exhausted in March 2024.
Eligible livestock producers received 100% of the $3 million allocated by the Legislature. A total of 109 grants were awarded to producers with livestock in the following areas of known wolf activity: Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, Tulare Counties.
Participation in the pilot program was voluntary and open to all eligible producers. Applications were processed on a first-come basis through a multi-step, tiered internal review process to confirm eligibility.
Related Forms and Documents
- Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program - Livestock Loss Application Form, October 2024 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
- Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program Summary Report, April 2024 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
- Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program Framework, May 2023 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
- Wolf-Livestock Compensation, P4P Calculation Method (PDF)
A Wolf Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) was formally convened by CDFW for development of a California Wolf Conservation Plan (Plan). The first SWG Meeting was held February 5, 2013. The SWG also formed the following subgroups: Wolf-Conservation Subgroup, Wolf-Livestock Interactions Subgroup, Wolf-Ungulate Interactions Subgroup. The SWG subgroups engaged in joint fact-finding to provide recommendations and help inform development of the Plan. CDFW provided the first comprehensive draft for SWG review in December 2014.
OR-7 – A Lone Wolf's StoryBackground
Gray Wolf (OR-7). Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.The male wolf known as “OR7” was born into the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon in spring 2009. He weighed approximately 90 pounds when collared with a radio transmitter by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in February 2011. He is referred to by biologists as OR7 because he was the seventh wolf radio-collared in Oregon. His GPS collar transmitted location information to satellites daily until 2014, at which time it stopped functioning because the batteries expired. The VHF portion of his collar still transmits and he can be detected with an antenna.
OR7 left his natal pack in 2011. The dispersal of younger individuals from a pack is common. Dispersing wolves generally attempt to join other packs, carve out new territories within occupied habitat, or form their own pack in unoccupied habitat.
Dispersal – OregonOR7 dispersed from the Imnaha pack in September 2011. Between September and early November he followed an approximately southwesterly course that took him across parts of Baker, Grant, Harney, Deschutes, Lake, Klamath and Douglas counties. During that journey he crossed Interstate 84 and U.S. Routes 26, 395, 20 and 97.
Between November 8 and December 23, OR7’s movements slowed and he occupied a broad area near the crest of the southern Cascades. This area included portions of Jackson and Klamath counties and included much of the Sky Lakes Wilderness. Field work conducted by ODFW determined that OR7 visited an elk carcass and livestock carcasses (bone pile) in this area. On November 14, an animal thought likely to be OR7 was photographed by a hunter’s trail camera on public land east of Butte Falls.
In late December, OR7 left the Sky Lakes area and headed south-southwest to near Howard Prairie Lake and Oregon Route 66. He then turned eastward, ultimately crossing the Klamath River and Highway 97. On December 28, he crossed into California northeast of Dorris, a small town in Siskiyou County.
Dispersal – California
Map of OR7's path in California (PDF)(opens in new tab)
This map contains data through April 23, 2013
While visiting California, OR7 traveled in the southern Cascades, across portions of the Modoc Plateau, in the Lassen and Plumas National Forests, and as far south as Tehama, Shasta, and Butte counties. His average daily movement was approximately 15 air miles. Since animals do not typically walk in straight lines, the actual distance traveled was likely much larger.
Dispersing wolves can readily traverse most habitat types and OR7 passed through ponderosa pine forests, mixed conifer forests, lava flows, sagebrush shrublands, juniper woodlands and agricultural lands. Although he did use private lands (timberlands in particular), he traversed public lands for most of his route. No public safety incidents or agricultural losses stemming from wolf damage were reported in California while OR7 occurred here.
OR7 crossed the border from California to Oregon and back several times, finally mating and establishing a territory in Klamath and Jackson counties, Oregon in 2013. OR7 and his mate produced 3 pups in 2014. Evidence shows that they produced a second litter in 2015 but the details are unknown at this time.
On March 12/13, 2013, Wolf OR7 returned to Oregon then made a brief return to California on April 20, 2013. Again, OR7 returned to Oregon on April 23, 2013. We will not post updates while he is in Oregon. Wolves in Oregon are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Oregon does not post daily location information on wolves. For more information, please visit Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife(opens in new tab).
