Overview
- CDFW, coordinating with USFWS, lethally removed four wolves from the Beyem Seyo pack after months of livestock depredations in Sierra Valley.
- The pack accounted for 70 of 110 confirmed or probable wolf-caused livestock losses statewide from March 28 to Sept. 10, with 17 additional losses documented through Oct. 14.
- A breeding pair and another female were euthanized, a juvenile was mistakenly killed during the operation, and remains of two other juveniles were found dead earlier.
- State teams are now working to capture and relocate surviving juveniles to wildlife facilities to prevent learned cattle-preying behavior from spreading.
- Wolves are protected under state and federal endangered species laws, and officials say the action followed extensive non-lethal efforts and legal coordination; news outlets reported it reduces the number of packs to nine and is the first time California has sought to kill wolves since their return.