Agriculture and cattle ranching have flourished across Sierra Valley since the mid-1800s, but the once-thriving business is now facing a growing threat from gray wolves. These wolves, once extinct in California, have returned as part of a federally and state-protected endangered species recovery effort, with 10 confirmed wolf packs across the state. Their recent arrival in Sierra County has become increasingly problematic for ranchers.”This is unprecedented,” said Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen. “I don’t think anybody’s seen the losses that we’ve seen here anywhere in the nation.” Roen, a rancher himself, has personally lost 16 livestock to wolf attacks.”We are probably the epicenter of what’s happening because I think we probably have over 50 documented probable or confirmed losses within this valley, this spring,” he noted.Most attacks target calves, but not all result in consumption. Ranchers report that some cows are left injured, forcing them to end their suffering themselves. The emotional and financial toll is mounting, and frustration is growing. “If you have a bear or a mountain lion or trouble with coyotes, you can take care of the animal and save your livestock; that’s not the case here. No, they’re protected,” explained Lorenzo Larrucea, foreman at Sierra Valley Ranch. “We’re not allowed to even chase them or anything.”Due to their federal protection status, harming or killing a wolf, even if one is killing livestock, is illegal and can result in steep fines and jail time. “We were not allowed to even dissuade them, so they became very emboldened and now that is what we’re suffering because they’re not scared of us,” Roen said.In a first for the state, a strike team has been deployed to help investigate these attacks.California Fish and Wildlife says this team is helping manage the situation and providing support to ranchers, but questions remain about its effectiveness. “I think it’s probably saved a couple cows’ lives, but for the couple million dollars they’re going to spend, I don’t really think it’s a worthwhile endeavor,” said Larrucea.Libby Ehlers, a senior scientist with California Fish and Wildlife, said the strike team provides round-the-clock support while continuing research on wolf behavior. “It is really tough and frustrating,” Ehlers said. “I don’t think anybody really wants wild animals killing livestock, and so we’re trying to understand where these animals are going, how are they moving, how many do we have in the state.”The team is focused on deterring wolves from entering ranch properties. “Hazing is kind of a direct interaction to give them a negative response to people, and wolves do respond positively to that. It can be very tricky, though, because they are smart,” Ehlers explained. “They’re curious in a place where they’re not heavily hunted, they’ll come closer to check things out.”While the strike team marks progress, many ranchers say it’s not enough and are calling for stronger action and faster results as the wolves continue to threaten their way of life. “They’re going to do what they’re born to do, and we’re going to suffer that. And I’m not saying kill them. I’m saying remove them. I don’t care what you do with them, but put them in a zoo, take them to Alaska, take them somewhere where they belong,” Roen said.The Department of Fish and Wildlife has a Wolf Livestock Compensation program for those facing direct losses as a result of the wolves.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SIERRA COUNTY, Calif. —
Agriculture and cattle ranching have flourished across Sierra Valley since the mid-1800s, but the once-thriving business is now facing a growing threat from gray wolves.
These wolves, once extinct in California, have returned as part of a federally and state-protected endangered species recovery effort, with 10 confirmed wolf packs across the state. Their recent arrival in Sierra County has become increasingly problematic for ranchers.
“This is unprecedented,” said Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen. “I don’t think anybody’s seen the losses that we’ve seen here anywhere in the nation.”
Roen, a rancher himself, has personally lost 16 livestock to wolf attacks.
“We are probably the epicenter of what’s happening because I think we probably have over 50 documented probable or confirmed losses within this valley, this spring,” he noted.
Most attacks target calves, but not all result in consumption. Ranchers report that some cows are left injured, forcing them to end their suffering themselves. The emotional and financial toll is mounting, and frustration is growing.
“If you have a bear or a mountain lion or trouble with coyotes, you can take care of the animal and save your livestock; that’s not the case here. No, they’re protected,” explained Lorenzo Larrucea, foreman at Sierra Valley Ranch. “We’re not allowed to even chase them or anything.”
Due to their federal protection status, harming or killing a wolf, even if one is killing livestock, is illegal and can result in steep fines and jail time.
“We were not allowed to even dissuade them, so they became very emboldened and now that is what we’re suffering because they’re not scared of us,” Roen said.
In a first for the state, a strike team has been deployed to help investigate these attacks.
California Fish and Wildlife says this team is helping manage the situation and providing support to ranchers, but questions remain about its effectiveness.
“I think it’s probably saved a couple cows’ lives, but for the couple million dollars they’re going to spend, I don’t really think it’s a worthwhile endeavor,” said Larrucea.
Libby Ehlers, a senior scientist with California Fish and Wildlife, said the strike team provides round-the-clock support while continuing research on wolf behavior.
“It is really tough and frustrating,” Ehlers said. “I don’t think anybody really wants wild animals killing livestock, and so we’re trying to understand where these animals are going, how are they moving, how many do we have in the state.”
The team is focused on deterring wolves from entering ranch properties.
“Hazing is kind of a direct interaction to give them a negative response to people, and wolves do respond positively to that. It can be very tricky, though, because they are smart,” Ehlers explained. “They’re curious in a place where they’re not heavily hunted, they’ll come closer to check things out.”
While the strike team marks progress, many ranchers say it’s not enough and are calling for stronger action and faster results as the wolves continue to threaten their way of life.
“They’re going to do what they’re born to do, and we’re going to suffer that. And I’m not saying kill them. I’m saying remove them. I don’t care what you do with them, but put them in a zoo, take them to Alaska, take them somewhere where they belong,” Roen said.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife has a Wolf Livestock Compensation program for those facing direct losses as a result of the wolves.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel