Wolves lived in California for thousands of years before being exterminated from the state in the early 1900's. At least seven wild wolves (known as the "Shasta Pack") now live in California, and as nearby wolf populations in Oregon continue to grow, we may see this number increase. Wolves normally hunt elk and deer but will sometimes kill livestock like cattle and sheep, and thus pose some threat to livestock ranchers. Thankfully there are things we can do now to reduce the occurrence of conflicts.
By understanding the types of landscapes that wolves tend to inhabit, we can predict where in California they will return to. Identifying potential habitat can help Californian communities plan how best to coexist with this species.
A group of students at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management has partnered with Defenders of Wildlife to conduct analyses of this issue, with the goal of helping California prepare to coexist with wild wolf populations through the reduction of wolf-livestock conflicts.
By understanding the types of landscapes that wolves tend to inhabit, we can predict where in California they will return to. Identifying potential habitat can help Californian communities plan how best to coexist with this species.
A group of students at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management has partnered with Defenders of Wildlife to conduct analyses of this issue, with the goal of helping California prepare to coexist with wild wolf populations through the reduction of wolf-livestock conflicts.
Source: US Fish & Wildlife Service
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Photo: Diana Hunter
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