Wolf Specialist Kent Laudon with the CDFW says there has been new wolf activity within the last week as the department continues to observe and collect data on the state’s newest predator.
Lauden said a pair of wolves, one male and one female, have been spotted about 9 miles southwest of Chester. The pair was confirmed through hair and urine samples. It is also confirmed that the female in this pair traveled into Mododc County, where a wolf depredation was confirmed for the first time.
Lauden says the wolf population has seen a significant jump just within the last year, growing from 3 three packs to seven, with 5 of them reproducing. He noted that this is based on just the wolves they know of, from data from collared wolves. Laudon shared that there is other activity occurring between the territory of the Lassen and Harvey Packs from East to West, with the CDFW looking to conduct more surveying of the area this spring and summer.
The CDFW is expected to provide an updated wolf management plan, as the CDFW has just hired a wolf program coordinator. The one currently being used is from 2017.
