Gray wolf attacks spark states of emergency in California counties. What to know

A handful of counties across Northern California have declared states of emergency in the wake of increased wolf activity.

Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra counties have adopted local emergency resolutions, with Shasta being the latest. In a May 14 announcement, the city said in a press statement that the wolves had demonstrated "bold, abnormal behavior," including attacking livestock without feeding and killing cattle near rural residences occupied by families.

A handful of counties in California have declared states of emergency over gray wolf activity.

"This is not just about livestock losses. These wolves are coming too close to homes, showing no fear of people, and putting our rural families at risk," said Shasta County supervisor Corkey Harmon in a statement. "We need state support and practical tools to protect our residents."

The board likewise wrote a resolution asking the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to loosen protections in place for the endangered species. The letter asked for assistance in relocating problem wolves, "increased collaboration" with property owners and regulations allowing specific wolves to be "removed."

A similar resolution came out of a Modoc County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 13, saying "Authorities are requested to consider euthanizing or relocating problem wolves to prevent livestock losses and ensure the safety of the general public in affected communities."

State wildlife officials promote non-lethal means of deterring the wolves, with CDFW spokesman Peter Tira telling the Redding Record Searchlight, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the animals have been "demonized throughout human history" as vicious killers, but California wolves usually avoid people and "gravitate to the most remote areas in the state."

Why are counties in California declaring states of emergency over gray wolves?

Wolves were responsible for at least 19 cattle deaths statewide between October and December 2024, according to the state's quarterly wolf report. Incidents of killed cattle, called depredation, have increased steadily with the growing wolf population, jumping from six in 2019 to 54 in 2024.

Since January of 2025, CDFW has opened 18 depredation investigations, 12 of which were confirmed as being caused by wolves and a few more classified as "possibly" being the work of wolves.

These losses can cost farmers and ranchers between $69,000 and $162,000 per wolf, according to reporting from the Palm Springs Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network.

How many gray wolves are in California?

Gray wolves have been categorized as a recovering endangered and protected species since they returned to California in 2011, almost 90 years after they were hunted to extinction.

There are seven known active wolf packs statewide, according to the CDFW, six of which roam the North State. Wildlife scientists also confirmed wolf activity in five other areas, most near confirmed pack territories.

Gray wolves once disappeared from California in the 1920s due to overhunting. In 2011, one wolf made its way from Oregon to Northern California and by 2015, a pack descended from that wolf, the Shasta Pack, was detected.

There are currently about 70 wolves spread across the known seven active packs, according to CDFW:

• Whaleback pack in eastern Siskiyou County
• Harvey pack in eastern Shasta and southern Lassen counties
• Ice Cave pack in southeastern Shasta, western Lassen, northern Plumas, and eastern Tehama counties
• Lassen pack in southern Lassen and eastern Plumas counties
• Diamond pack in southern Lassen and eastern Plumas counties
• Beyem Seyo pack in Sierra County
• Yowlumni pack in southern Tulare County

What can be done?

Ranchers are not allowed to shoot at or around the wolves because of their protection under the California Endangered Species Act, a restriction proponents for loosening these protections feel isn't reasonable.

One rancher told the Palm Springs Desert Sun that because cattle are such easy prey and ranchers aren't allowed to shoot in the air to scare them off or use bean bags or rubber bullets as deterrents, the situation turns into an "all-you-can-eat buffet."

Wildlife advocates contest that there are plenty of deterrent methods that don't include causing direct harm to the wolves. Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, told the Desert Sun that including using fox lights, radio-activated guard boxes and electric fencing equipped with fladry, or bright strips of fabric strung along fences.

The CDFW has also released a new online tool that maps wolf activity tracked by GPS collars called the Wolf Location Automated Mapping System as "one more tool in our shared toolkit to protect (livestock owners') herds from wolf-livestock conflict." It also encourages the use of non-lethal control methods, such as the employment of livestock guardian animals, modified fencing and attractant removal, or the prompt removal of carcasses and other biological materials that may attract predators.

Contributing: Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight; James Ward, Steve Pastis, Jessica Skropanic, Palm Springs Desert Sun