Three New Wolf Packs Confirmed in Northern California

Three new gray wolf packs have been confirmed in Northern California's Shasta, Tehama, and Lassen counties, increasing the total to a record 10 packs. The species' resurgence follows near extinction in California a century ago, with most wolves returning since 2011 via migration from Oregon. Conservationists hail the population growth as a major ecological success, but ranchers and local officials are worried about increasing livestock attacks, with over a dozen kills confirmed in early 2024 and several counties declaring states of emergency. Both state and federal laws prohibit harming the endangered wolves, complicating responses for affected ranchers. Wildlife officials use strict standards to confirm new packs, requiring consistent evidence of at least two wolves in a territory. The return of wolves highlights an ongoing conflict between wildlife conservation and rural economic concerns.