The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has released a draft Conservation Plan (Plan) for Gray Wolves in California in response to petitions to list the gray wolf population as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act.  While California has not had a native gray wolf population for nearly a century, documented incidents of gray wolves entering the state from Oregon spurred wildlife advocates to petition for special protections for the species in 2012.  More recently, a mated pair of gray wolves with three pups, now known as the Shasta Pack, was verified as established in Siskiyou County.

The release of the Plan comes just one week before the California Fish and Game Commission makes its final decision on whether to add the gray wolf to the California endangered species list.  Many stakeholders, including RCRC, have argued that listing is premature considering that the gray wolf is no longer technically a native species to California, and is, in fact, increasing in number rather than declining.  It is unclear what impact listing the species will have on the Plan, since certain nonlethal management options included in the draft may no longer be allowable for a protected species.

The CDFW has scheduled three public workshops on the Plan: Yreka on January 21, 2016, Long Beach on January 26, 2016, and Sacramento on February 1, 2016, each to be held from 5-8 p.m.  Public comment is due on February 15, 2016.  The press release on the draft Plan, including links to the document and information on the public workshops, can be accessed here.