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New Pack Of Endangered Gray Wolves Spotted In California

August 17, 2023

A new pack of gray wolves has arrived in Tulare County, California.

The finding has ignited optimism about the resilience of these endangered predators and the potential for their successful recovery in the state.

In July, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) received a wolf sighting report from a location in the Sequoia National Forest - at least 200 miles from the nearest known pack in California.

The CDFW investigated the reported location, found wolf tracks and other signs of wolf presence, and collected samples.

All 12 samples were confirmed gray wolf.

"The new pack consists of at least five individuals not previously detected in California, including one adult female, who is a direct descendant of California’s first documented wolf in the state in recent history (OR7)," the CDFW said in a news release.

In 2011, OR7 crossed the state line to become the first wolf in nearly a century to make California part of his range before returning to Oregon.

"This is truly wonderful that the wolves have moved so far south," said Beth Pratt, California's director for the National Wildlife Federation. "I predicted when OR-7 made his historic journey that we would have wolves in the Sierra in a decade. I was not that far off with OR-93 leading the way. I am still heartbroken he didn't make it, but he pioneered the way!