For the first time in more than 100 years, California has euthanized grey wolves – a move that marks a difficult turning point in the state’s ongoing effort to balance wildlife protection with livestock management.
Once wiped out entirely in the early 1900s, wolves made a remarkable comeback after a lone male crossed into California from Oregon in 2011. Since then, their slow recovery has symbolized a major conservation success story. But this year, one pack’s persistent attacks on cattle forced wildlife officials to take action they had hoped to avoid.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Wildlife policies and environmental conditions change over time. Always refer to official sources, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, for the latest updates. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
A Difficult Decision After Years Of Progress
The decision to euthanize four members of the Beyem Seyo pack came in October 2025, following repeated attacks on livestock in northern California’s Plumas and Sierra counties. Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) described the situation as “unprecedented.” From March to September, the wolves were responsible for killing 70 head of cattle – nearly two-thirds of all wolf-related livestock deaths in the state that year.
Director Charlton H. Bonham said the wolves had “become so reliant on cattle at an unprecedented level” that it threatened both ranchers’ livelihoods and the wolves’ own long-term survival. Despite extensive efforts, their hunting habits could not be changed.
When Non-Lethal Efforts Weren’t Enough
Before resorting to euthanasia, wildlife teams spent months using non-lethal deterrents. These included drones, warning shots, roadkill feeding, and around-the-clock monitoring. Over 18,000 hours were dedicated to the effort across 114 days – but none of it worked.
As Bonham told the Sacramento Bee, “We threw everything at it for months to change their behaviour… this decision was not made lightly.”
Conservation groups, including Defenders of Wildlife, acknowledged that while the state’s response was extensive, intervention may have come too late. By the time deterrence began, the wolves had already become accustomed to livestock as their main prey.
How Wolves Returned To California After A Century
Grey wolves were once common across California but were eradicated in the early 20th century due to hunting campaigns. The last known wolf was killed in 1924. For nearly 90 years, the state was wolf-free – until 2011, when a single wolf from Oregon, known as OR7, wandered across the border.
That moment changed everything. OR7’s arrival led to the state’s first breeding pack in 2015, known as the Shasta pack. Since then, California has confirmed around 10 wolf packs, with a total population estimated between 50 and 70 individuals. Their return was celebrated as a conservation victory – proof that large predators could once again coexist with people.
The Ongoing Challenge Of Coexistence
As wolf numbers slowly increase, so have conflicts. Ranchers in several northern counties have declared States of Emergency due to rising cattle losses. One estimate suggests a single wolf can cost a rancher tens of thousands of dollars in lost livestock each year. For many, it’s not just a financial issue but a matter of survival for small family-run farms.
To address these challenges, California compensates ranchers for verified wolf-related losses and supports the use of deterrents such as guard dogs and electric fencing. Still, the tension remains high in regions where wolves and cattle share the same landscape.
Finding Balance Between Protection And Practicality
For California’s wolf population to thrive, experts agree that coexistence with ranchers must be sustainable. Education, early intervention, and effective deterrence are key. When wolves repeatedly target livestock and non-lethal methods fail, wildlife officials are left with difficult choices – choices like the one involving the Beyem Seyo pack.
Officials stress that euthanizing four wolves will not significantly harm the state’s growing population, but the incident underscores how fragile recovery efforts remain. If wolves continue to associate humans and livestock with easy food, future conflicts could put decades of conservation progress at risk.
For now, the hope is that California can learn from this case, ensuring that both wolves and ranchers have a future in the same wild landscape.
