Gray Wolves Found in Lassen Volcanic National Park for the First Time
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has reported the presence of a new gray wolf pack within Lassen Volcanic National Park, marking a significant milestone for the park and the state’s wolf population.
The unnamed wolf pack is believed to consist of a breeding pair and at least one, possibly two, offspring. This new pack likely originates from dispersing members of the Lassen Pack, California’s most established gray wolf population, which resides in Lassen County—not Lassen Volcanic National Park. While some have assumed the Lassen Pack lived within the park, this is the first confirmed wolf activity in the park itself.
Gray wolves are a protected species in California, and their resurgence is a testament to ongoing conservation efforts. Their presence in the park could have ecological benefits, such as balancing predator-prey dynamics. For instance, wolves are known to compete with and displace coyotes, whose overpopulation has negatively impacted native species like the Sierra Nevada red fox. These changes could boost the survival prospects of rare species in the park.
The discovery of wolf activity in Lassen Volcanic National Park is likely the beginning of a broader conversation about wolf management and wildlife conservation in the region. With no biologist currently on staff at the park, the challenge of monitoring and studying this new development remains.
Want to learn more about wolves in California? We went on a deep dive with Amaroq Weiss, Senior Wolf Advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, on the Talking NorCal Podcast:
