Why Not Wolves in California?

May 14, 2015

Question: Even though gray wolves are slowly expanding back out into their historical ranges, why have they not returned to California? Other western states have them. What makes California different? What’s the status of the wolf planning effort? Is there funding for it? (Emma M.)

Answer: The biggest considerations on natural reestablishment of gray wolves into California are the smaller populations of prey species available (compared to other western states), the growing population of people and the decline in habitat to support them.

According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Wildlife Program Manager Karen Kovacs, while the gray wolf’s prey species is similar to other western states (deer and elk), California cannot compare with the other states on the numbers of prey animals. In general, wolves in the western states prey on elk. And while some states have hundreds of thousands of elk, our state has less than 10,000 elk. California has more deer than elk, but again, less than what other western states have.

Human population in California is also different. California has more than 38 million people and infrastructure to support that population including highways, development, reservoirs, intensive agriculture, etc., all of which contribute to a loss of deer and elk habitat, hence a loss of potential wolf habitat.

One other difference is that California has very limited information regarding the prior presence of wolves in the state. Very little verifiable information exists, including about two wolves collected in the 1920s. So just how widespread and what those historical numbers are is unknown.

The draft Wolf Plan will address these considerations and other consequences of wolves in California. The wolf planning process with the stakeholder working group is completed. We are in the process of revising the draft based on peer review and the last round of comments from the working group. We anticipate having the revised draft available for public review along with holding two public meetings for additional input to the department. We will then make any necessary changes and finalize the Wolf Plan. Timeframe is late spring or early summer. There is no specific funding identified at the present time.

California has no intention to reintroduce wolves as other states have done. For more information on gray wolves and the work being done in California, please go to: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/wolf/

 Wait for it...   

Because Grey Wolves practice common core.

I was hoping for some anti wolf-rant from Montana.  It should still come.

Common core sounds especially evil though.  I heard common core reaches 300 pounds are are nothing like dogs.

I hope they come, I really do. I would love to see it. 

All though Montana wants the wolves here. I'd rather see our state symbol here. In fact with those Bears around, maybe some of the forest vandalism would return where it belongs, THE CITY. I have ran in to some people, from other countries ( not Mexico ) that are as afraid of a grizzly. Just like some here are of the GWS. 

I would donate my annual salary to see a grizzly walking down a California beach on its way to a seal line rookery. Nature at its finest.

Let's get them both, they are so cute and cuddly...

Let's get them both, they are so cute and cuddly...

Make no mistake why I have a 45/70.

I am not going to say shit, this is just like Michelle Obama race baiting every time she has a mic in her face. I hope we get wolves, grizzlies, and McDonalds starts paying Match Box 20 money.

I have ran in to some people, from other countries ( not Mexico ) that are as afraid of a grizzly. Just like some here are of the GWS. 

Bears are furry land sharks...haha

I have ran in to some people, from other countries ( not Mexico ) that are as afraid of a grizzly. Just like some here are of the GWS. 

Bears are furry land sharks...haha

hmmm...

Haha. That's dope!

John should change his name to manbearshark.

I am not going to say shit, this is just like Michelle Obama race baiting every time she has a mic in her face. I hope we get wolves, grizzlies, and McDonalds starts paying Match Box 20 money.

Leave it to you to put in the political jab. Nice.