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New 'Diamond' Wolf Pack Discovered in California's Sierra Valley, Signaling Growing Wolf Population

Environmental Sustainability

New Diamond Wolf, wildlife, Sierra Valley, livestock

Business Honor
22 November, 2024

The discovery of the "Diamond" wolf pack marks the third new wolf pack documented in California in 2024.

A new gray wolf pack has been discovered in California's Sierra Valley, marking a significant step in the state’s ongoing wolf recovery efforts. The "Diamond" pack, located about 50 miles north of Lake Tahoe, consists of at least one adult male and one adult female, with the pair having traveled together for at least six months, according to wildlife officials. The pack may soon expand with the birth of pups, further boosting the state's wolf population.

Gray wolves were nearly extirpated from California in the 1920s due to excessive hunting and trapping. However, since 2011, there has been a steady influx of migrating wolves from surrounding states, and now the state is home to nine wolf packs and several lone wolves, mostly in the northern regions.

Axel Hunnicutt, gray wolf coordinator for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, pointed out that such a finding emphasizes that the wolves continue their steady southern movement. Some of the Sierra Valley's wolves occasionally roam within 10 miles of Reno, Nevada, something unusual considering their proximity to an urban area.

Only within this year, 30 new pups were born in California's wolf packs, the highest numbers ever seen in a century. The situation has become alarming for the local farmers and ranchers since the numbers of their livestock killed by wolves have risen significantly. Kirk Wilbur, the California Cattlemen's Association member, stated that the conflict is becoming more rampant with every increase in the number of wolves since its impact on cattle and other livestock is proportionally on the rise as well.

The Diamond pack's discovery follows the documentation of other new packs in Lassen National Forest and Sierra Valley, showcasing the success of wolf recovery programs in California. These wolves remain protected under both state and federal endangered species laws.