Surge in Wolf Depredation Incidents in Siskiyou County: Summer and Early Fall of 2024

The Whaleback Pack, primarily active in eastern Siskiyou County, was responsible for nine confirmed depredations from late June through mid-August 2024. Throughout August and September, multiple additional wolf attacks on livestock were confirmed, raising concerns among local ranchers. The CDFW has added fourteen new depredation determinations for the period of June to August 2024, with confirmed wolf sightings in several counties, including Siskiyou and Plumas.

Recent reports from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) indicate a surge in wolf depredation incidents in Siskiyou County during the summer and early fall of 2024. The Whaleback Pack was responsible for nine confirmed depredations from late June through mid-August. Throughout August and September, multiple additional wolf attacks on livestock were confirmed.

The CDFW’s Quarterly Wolf News Update for April to June 2024 brought positive news for conservation efforts, confirming the presence of wolf pups in various packs across the state. This population growth, while encouraging for wildlife conservationists, poses new challenges for livestock management in affected areas.

The increasing wolf presence has had substantial financial implications for livestock producers. As of April 11, 2024, the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program exhausted its $3 million fund, distributing grants across 109 livestock producers in areas of known wolf activity. The depletion of this fund leaves ranchers concerned about future compensation for wolf-related losses.

The CDFW has been closely monitoring the situation, regularly updating its Gray Wolf webpage with new depredation determination forms.

While Siskiyou County grapples with this increase in wolf-livestock conflicts, neighboring Lassen and Plumas counties have reported fewer such incidents in recent months.