By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (May 21, 2025)
Shasta County has declared a local state of emergency in response to escalating gray wolf activity, including confirmed livestock attacks in rural areas. The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the resolution on May 13, citing threats to public safety, livestock, and property.
“These wolves are showing no fear of people and are attacking livestock near family homes,” said Supervisor Corkey Harmon, who sponsored the resolution. “We need better tools and immediate action to keep our rural communities safe.”
Since late 2024, multiple cattle and other livestock deaths linked to gray wolves have been confirmed in eastern Shasta County. In response, county officials have sent a letter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) requesting assistance in protecting the public from wolves.
Shasta County joins Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, and Sierra counties, which have all declared similar emergencies in recent weeks due to increasing gray wolf encounters. The gray wolf, once extinct in California, began repopulating the state in 2011 and is currently protected under both state and federal endangered species laws.
The CDFW has introduced an interactive map allowing the public to track the locations and movements of GPS-collared wolves, aiming to help livestock owners take precautions. However, officials emphasize that only a fraction of the state’s estimated 50 wolves are collared, and sensitive information such as den locations remains undisclosed.
As the gray wolf population grows, the CDFW is considering management strategies that balance conservation efforts with the needs of rural communities. Residents are encouraged to report wolf sightings to aid in monitoring and response efforts.
