For the first time in recorded history, a pack of gray wolves has made Lassen Volcanic National Park its home. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed the presence of this newly established pack in early January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the return of this iconic species to the Golden State.
After more than a century of absence, gray wolves are not just surviving in California—they are thriving. With an estimated population of 60 to 100 individuals across nine confirmed packs, these apex predators are reclaiming their ancestral lands, reshaping ecosystems, and challenging outdated narratives about coexistence. The story of their resurgence is more than a conservation success; it’s a testament to nature’s resilience and the collective power of determined environmental efforts.
A Century in the Making
Once driven to extinction in California due to government-led extermination campaigns and habitat destruction, gray wolves were thought to be lost from the state forever. But nature had other plans. In the 1990s, reintroduction programs in the Northern Rockies, combined with natural dispersal from neighboring states, began to reverse the damage. Lone wolves, like the famous OR-7, journeyed hundreds of miles to establish new territories, proving that the call of the wild could not be silenced.
Today, packs have been confirmed in areas like the Lassen National Forest, the Lake Tahoe Basin, Siskiyou County near Mount Shasta, and even eastern Tulare County. With 23,000 square miles of suitable habitat in Northern California alone, conservationists believe the state could support up to 500 wolves in the coming decades.
Why Wolves Matter
Wolves do more than just add to California’s biodiversity—they are keystone species that shape entire ecosystems. Their presence helps regulate prey populations, prevents overgrazing, and even impacts plant life and waterways. By reducing coyote numbers, wolves may indirectly support other vulnerable species, like the montane red fox, which struggles with increased competition.
“Wolves rewild the landscape, and that’s good not just for the wolves but for entire ecosystems,” says Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity. Studies in Yellowstone National Park have already shown how wolves restore ecological balance by keeping deer and elk populations in check, leading to healthier forests and revitalized riverbanks. California could see similar benefits as its wolf populations grow.
The Road Ahead
Despite the ecological benefits of wolf recovery, challenges remain. Livestock depredation has sparked conflict between wolves and ranchers, with human-related deaths accounting for up to 58% of known fatalities among collared wolves. Some view wolves as a threat to their livelihood, a perception rooted in centuries-old fears rather than modern science.
However, solutions exist. Non-lethal deterrents, such as range riders, guard dogs, and improved fencing, have proven effective in states like Oregon and Washington, reducing wolf-livestock conflicts while allowing wolves to thrive. Education and collaboration between conservationists and ranchers are key to ensuring a future where both can coexist.
A Symbol of What’s Possible
The discovery of a wolf pack within Lassen Volcanic National Park is more than just a feel-good wildlife story—it’s proof that conservation works. It demonstrates that when given the chance, nature can heal, species can return, and ecosystems can be restored.
“Wolves have made an incredible comeback in California after being absent for over 100 years,” says Axel Hunnicutt, a state wolf coordinator for the CDFW. But their survival is not guaranteed; it depends on continued protections, public awareness, and a commitment to coexistence.
How You Can Help
Want to support wolf conservation in California? Here’s what you can do:
Stay Informed: Follow organizations like California Wolf Watch and the Center for Biological Diversity for updates on wolf populations and policies.
Advocate for Protections: Support legislation that ensures gray wolves remain protected under the California Endangered Species Act.
Spread Awareness: Share factual, science-based information about wolves to combat myths and misinformation.
Support Coexistence Efforts: Encourage investment in non-lethal conflict prevention strategies to help farmers and wolves live side by side.
A Future Worth Howling For
The return of wolves to California is not just a conservation success—it’s a reminder that our efforts matter. Every policy change, every habitat preserved, and every conversation about coexistence brings us closer to a world where humans and wildlife thrive together.
As we celebrate this milestone, let’s remember: the story of the gray wolf is still being written. And in this next chapter, we have the power to ensure it’s one of coexistence, resilience, and a resounding “WOOHOO!” for nature’s remarkable ability to heal itself.