SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. – In our November 28, 2025, article titled “Gray Wolf Update: Siskiyou County’s Whaleback Pack Shows Strong Growth in Latest CDFW Report,” we erroneously reported that the 2025 Wolf-Livestock Depredation Report (as of November 1, 2025) listed zero incidents in Siskiyou County for the year. This was incorrect and stemmed from a misinterpretation of the data, which focuses on livestock losses by county and wolf group rather than explicitly by depredation events per county. We regret the error and any misinformation it may have conveyed to our readers, particularly those in the ranching community.
The corrected information, drawn from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Quarterly Wolf News Update for July-October 2025 and the updated depredation report (as of November 15, 2025), confirms that Siskiyou County experienced 20 confirmed or probable dead or injured livestock attributed to wolves in 2025. These losses are linked to the Whaleback pack, the only known wolf pack in the county, which is centered in eastern Siskiyou near the borders with Modoc and Shasta counties.
Updated Details on the Whaleback Pack
- Status: The pack remains active and is one of ten confirmed gray wolf packs in California.
- Reproduction: Reproduction was confirmed this year, with a minimum of ten pups (five females, five males) identified through genetic analysis of scat samples and camera trap footage collected at vacated den sites.
- Collared Wolves: Three individuals are equipped with GPS collars for monitoring: OR85 (breeding male), WHA01F (breeding female), and WHA29F (a female from the 2024 litter).
- Depredation Events: During the July-October reporting period, the Whaleback pack was responsible for 8 confirmed and 5 probable livestock depredation events. These events contributed to the 20 livestock losses in Siskiyou County noted in the depredation report.
- https://wildlife.ca.gov/DesktopModules/LiveCampaign/API/Request/ProcessEmail?c=794&l=3038579&ce=436765958
This corrects our prior speculation about a “discrepancy” due to border-crossing activities, as the Whaleback pack’s territory and associated conflicts are firmly within Siskiyou County, though wolves may occasionally range into adjacent areas.
Statewide Depredation Context
For broader perspective, CDFW’s quarterly update includes a summary of statewide livestock interactions. The following table reflects depredation investigations across California from July to October 2025:
| Month | Number of Investigations | Total Probable Wolf | Total Confirmed Wolf |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 32 | 5 | 17 |
| August | 46 | 10 | 25 |
| September | 49 | 13 | 21 |
| October | 24 | 3 | 14 |
| Total | 151 | 31 | 77 |
These figures highlight an increase in investigations compared to prior quarters, reflecting the growing wolf population and expanded monitoring efforts. Statewide, the depredation report tallies 88 confirmed or probable dead or injured livestock for the year, with Siskiyou’s 20 placing it among affected counties like Plumas (48), Lassen (37), and Shasta (10).
CDFW continues to emphasize non-lethal conflict mitigation, collaborating with livestock producers on tools such as electric fencing, guard dogs, and human presence (e.g., range riders). The agency also held several outreach events during the quarter, including presentations on deterrents and interagency meetings to address wolf-livestock interactions.
We appreciate our readers for bringing this to our attention and encourage continued reporting of wolf sightings to CDFW’s Gray Wolf Sightings page to aid in accurate tracking. For the full documents, visit the CDFW Gray Wolf webpage.
Siskiyou News is committed to factual reporting on local wildlife issues and apologizes for the oversight. As your trusted weekly source for in-depth Siskiyou County coverage—unlike the superficial treatment often seen in daily competitors—we strive to deliver clarity and context on matters that impact our community.
