The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have euthanized four gray wolves in an effort to curb an “unprecedented” number of livestock attacks, the state department said Friday. The decision marks a turning point after months of measures intended to reduce losses and protect recovering wolf populations.
Why now, officials say, after months of trying to deter attacks. CDFW cited a combination of long-running prevention efforts and the wolves’ behavior shift as the reason for the action. Diversionary feeding, the use of drones, and round-the-clock field presence were deployed in an attempt to minimize harm to livestock without removing wolves. Yet officials said the wolves had “become habituated to cattle as a primary food source,” creating a persistent threat to livestock and complicating recovery goals for the species.
The pack at the center of the action is the Beyem Seyo pack, based in Sierra Valley. Over the past month, one male and two female wolves were euthanized, along with a juvenile wolf that was mistakenly killed. In addition, remains of two other young wolves were found, though the causes of their deaths remain unknown. It’s noted that juvenile gray wolf deaths due to natural causes are not uncommon in the species’ recovery period.
The broader context of the wolf attacks: State officials reported that between March 28 and Sept. 10, the Beyem Seyo pack was responsible for 70 livestock losses, representing 63% of the total livestock losses across California during the same period. The losses have prompted discussions about the balance between wildlife conservation and ranching interests. CDFW pointed to a compensation program for livestock owners who lose animals to wolves, designed to offset some of the economic impact on ranching communities.
Officials underscored that this action does not come without consideration for the wolf’s long-term recovery. Jen Benedet, acting deputy director of communications at CDFW, said, “CDFW staff will focus on utilizing the best available science, a strong understanding of wolf biology and successful adaptive wildlife management practices to ensure both gray wolves and California’s communities can thrive together.” The statement reflects the department’s ongoing effort to integrate science-based management with the realities faced by rural communities that live alongside recovering wolf populations.
Background: The gray wolf remains a recovering endangered species protected under both state and federal law in California. The recent euthanizations come in the context of wolves reentering California from other states, rather than being reintroduced by CDFW. The species’ return is part of a broader national trend in which gray wolves have reestablished populations in parts of the western United States after decades of decline.
Wildlife managers have long faced the challenge of reconciling wolf recovery with economic interests tied to livestock production. The state has emphasized non-lethal methods to reduce conflicts, including enhanced herd management, the installation of protective fences and coronet-style deterrents, and careful monitoring of wolf movements. When those approaches fail to prevent repeated attacks, authorities have indicated that targeted removal of problem individuals can be a necessary step to protect both livestock and the broader goals of wolf recovery.
Critics of lethal control argue that removing wolves can undermine long-term recovery efforts and potentially destabilize pack dynamics. Supporters, however, contend that without decisive action, recurring losses can threaten the livelihoods of ranchers and increase calls to eradicate wolves. The current action by CDFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signals a significant policy moment, one that will likely shape future approaches to managing coexistence between people and predators in California’s changing landscape.
Looking ahead, wildlife officials say the focus remains on balancing ecological restoration with practical protections for livestock. The compensation program will continue to provide financial support to affected ranchers, while researchers monitor wolf movements and behavior to inform adaptive management strategies. Officials stress that evolving conditions—such as livestock management practices, climate factors, and broader predator-prey dynamics—will guide future decisions about when and where interventions are warranted.
For communities in Sierra Valley and other rural areas, the euthanizations are a sobering reminder of the fragile equilibrium between wildlife recovery and the economic realities of livestock farming. As California’s gray wolves move through landscapes once dominated by human settlement, state agencies emphasize that decisions about population management will depend on science, ongoing monitoring, and the lived experiences of people who share the land with these apex predators. Whether this action will reduce immediate losses or alter long-range recovery remains to be seen, but it underscores a central question of wildlife policy: how to ensure the persistence of a recovering species while protecting the livelihoods that sustain rural California.