With two wolf packs added earlier this year, California now has seven packs, totaling 44 wolves in all, according to an official count by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. But the actual number is likely closer 100, says Steve Arnold, president of the California Cattlemen’s Association.
If CDFW verifies an eighth pack, it would signal an abundant population under California’s endangered species protections. That could lead to delisting the gray wolf and enable the department to start issuing depredation permits. Yet Arnold told the State Board of Food and Ag recently he was skeptical the state would ever let the pack become public knowledge.
“And trust me, as an organization, will be right there suing the day they designate the eighth one,” said Arnold. “We're going to go after this for all we can.”
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Keep in mind: The association was instrumental in persuading lawmakers to approve $600,000 for the state’s novel wolf compensation program.
The 2021 budget had launched the program with $3 million in funding. But the account ran dry in March this year, after CDFW rapidly spent the money on nonlethal deterrents and compensation to ranchers for livestock losses. The new funding keeps the program alive until the state budget rebounds.
