California Wolf Population Nearly Doubles with 30 New Pups in 2024

California’s wolf population continues to grow as five of the state’s seven known wolf packs have produced pups this year, according to a new quarterly report from the California Department of Fish and Game. The 30 new pups bring the total number of known wolves in the state to 65.

“Seeing wolves return to the places this magnificent species once called home and have these adorable new pups is as inspiring as it gets,” said Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “At least five California packs have now created families. That’s a testament to the visionary power and strong enforcement of the federal and state endangered species acts.”

This year’s litters include five pups from the Lassen pack, six from the Whaleback pack, five from the Beyem Seyo pack, and seven each from the Harvey and Yowlumni packs. The Antelope and Beckwourth packs did not have confirmed births this spring.

All five wolf families that reproduced this year are composed of two adult breeding wolves, several yearlings from the previous year’s litters, and the new pups. The total population now includes 11 wolves in the Lassen pack, 13 in Whaleback, 10 each in Beyem Seyo and Harvey, two in Antelope, and 15 in Yowlumni. The Beckwourth pack, last seen in the previous quarter, had two wolves.

Small groups of wolves or lone wolves—four in total—were also sighted in Tehama and Plumas counties. Surveys are ongoing for wolves previously seen in Modoc County.

Wolves are fully protected in California under both the federal and state Endangered Species Acts, which has been crucial for their recovery. The resurgence of wolves in California began in 2011 when OR-7, a radio-collared wolf from Oregon, crossed into the state. His daughter is now a founding member of the Yowlumni pack in Tulare County.