Whaleback Pack Responsible for Recent Spike in Wolf Predations in Northern California

The Whaleback Pack, a well-known group of wolves located in Siskiyou County, has been identified as the primary culprit behind a series of recent wolf predations on livestock.

Between July 10 and August 19, 2024, this pack was involved in at least 7 confirmed predations on cattle located on private lands. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has documented these incidents, and evidence strongly points to the Whaleback Pack’s involvement in nearly all recent wolf predations in the state.

The first incident occurred on July 10, when a calf was found dead on private property. The bite wounds and associated hemorrhage were consistent with wolf predation, and evidence pointed directly to the Whaleback Pack. Over the following weeks, several more predations were reported, including the deaths of cows, calves, and yearling heifers. In each case, the pattern of bite marks, the depth of tissue trauma, and other signs such as wolf tracks or collar data from the pack’s breeding male, OR-85, confirmed the presence of wolves at the scenes.

OR-85’s satellite collar detected his presence near multiple predation sites, solidifying the connection between these incidents and the Whaleback Pack. The most recent incident occurred on August 19, when another calf was found dead, again confirming wolf predation.

This period of confirmed predations highlights the Whaleback Pack’s significant impact on local livestock, making them responsible for the majority of wolf predations in the state. Ranchers in this area have historically used California’s wolf livestock compensation program, but with the funding drying up earlier in 2024, it’s unclear if these recent predations will fall under that program.

Wolfs provide a number of benefits to the local ecosystem, but predation is an ongoing issue in Northern California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife continues to monitor the Whaleback Pack and other wolves in the region to manage these predation incidents effectively.