A dozen wolves collared in California as officials seek to track the growing population

Wildlife officials have twelve gray wolves in Northern California to better understand and manage species that made a comeback in the state a century ago.

Now, there are more satellites in the Golden State than ever before – 16 – which means enhanced monitoring of monitoring Wolf population continues to grow.

The revival of the endangered apex predator is known as the story of conservation success, but faces challenges including increasing attacks on cattle and other livestock.

“It really opened a lot of doors for us to get more data, provide more information for more livestock producers and conduct more in-depth research,” said Axel Hunnicutt, statewide. Gray wolf Coordinator of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Officials said the collars of the state agency were held last month, when air and ground teams worked together to capture wolves from Siskiyou, Larsen and Sera counties, with at least one of the previous ones.

According to Hunnicutt, a contracted helicopter fleet followed the radio frequency emitted by the collar and essentially chased the wolf down, sometimes purifying or flying around from the sky.

The wolf flew to base camp, where a state staff equipped them with satellite collars and completed an examination that included body measurements and blood and DNA samples.

The animals were eventually driven to places where they were captured and released.

The Beyem Seyo Pack of Sera County captured five wolfs, including those previously taken. The other five were caught from Harvey Pack in Larsen County, including one previously taken, two of whom were caught from whale backpacks in Siskiyou County.

Hunnicutt said the number of captures exceeded expectations. Among the most recent cord wolves, four adults were born last year or the year before. Seven are women and five are men.

Hunnicutt said the deployed collars will help state scientists track the state’s werewolf population, estimated to be at least 70 last fall, up from 44 years old in 2023.

He said it is important to the collars of many young wolves. The packaging consists mainly of two adults and their offspring; eventually, the young wolf disperses and tries to form other packaging.

“The fact that we are able to get so many collars on young animals means we can learn more about where they are scattered,” he said. “For those who do start new packaging, we’ve already gotten from those of these efforts There is a collar in the bag.”

Now, California has seven known wolves, from There are nine reports in autumnaccording to CDFW. The state agency said the packaging could be smooth, noting that two packaging had recently merged.

About 100 years ago, the California gray wolf was arrested and trapped in an extinct place, and the wild wolf was recorded Photographed in 1924.

The species’ amazing recolonization of the country began in 2011, when a wolf in northeastern Oregon adventure Exceeded status. he No leftthe first verified backpack was not held until 2015.

Hunnicutt said in November that the population began to take off and now it has “almost exponential” growth.

Conservationists believe that the wolf’s comeback proves the protection they provide. They are classified as endangered under state and federal laws.

Amaroq Weiss, Senior Wolf Advocate Biodiversity Centera conservation group, praised recent efforts to collect as a means by state wildlife officials to monitor animals more carefully and inform them of “magnificent species”.

“Our state’s wolf recovery is still in its infancy and more information is always welcome,” she said in a statement.

The recent cord wolves are in areas where livestock conflicts are occurring, and tracking data is expected to illuminate the activity and provide additional information to ranchers to reduce conflict. Wolves feast with cattle, which may threaten the livelihood of ranchers.

“For example, this morning we’ll send out the rough spot the night before the wolf to the area of ​​every livestock producer to let them know, hey, if you’re on this side of this valley, you might want to deploy Range rider or other non-fatal deterrent forces. ”

Livestock conflict and other complex issues related to polarized species prompted state wildlife agencies to collaborate with the University of California, Berkeley to conduct research, hoping to fill knowledge gaps and guide management. for many years California Wolf Project Launched last year, just released annual report.

California wildlife officials Recent reports The state’s wolf pack at the southernmost tip of Tulare County is suffering from muscular bacteria, a disease caused by parasitic mites that can cause itchy skin and hair loss.

Some wolves only experience mild symptoms, which can clear the infection and survive. But others may suffer from serious illnesses that are caused by massive hair loss, secondary bacterial infections, weight loss and ultimately death.

Mange is not uncommon and affects other canine animals in the state, including coyotes.

Hunnicutt said the package has changed the movement, which could be due to the loss of a lot of hair from several wolves, which makes them easily exposed on the hills during the winter. These animals have entered the warm valley.