{"id":902983,"date":"2026-11-02T07:22:16","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/902983\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T07:22:16","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:22:16","slug":"incestuous-wolves-now-roaming-california-wilderness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/902983\/","title":{"rendered":"Incestuous wolves now roaming California wilderness"},"content":{"rendered":"

California\u2019s desperate wolves<\/a> are turning to incest to keep the bloodline going.<\/p>\n

Nearly a quarter of the wolves in the state were \u201cborn to pairs of siblings\u201d from the Whaleback Pack in Northern California, according to the California Wolf Watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first confirmed pack identified with inbreeding in California in 2026 was the Ashpan Pack. Female wolf WHA29F, also known as CA124, a gray wolf born in 2024<\/a> to the Whaleback Pack, produced 5 pups with male wolf WHA07M, also known as CA051, a black male wolf born in 2021 to the Whaleback Pack,\u201d the California Wolf Watch said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Gray wolf OR-93 near Yosemite, 2021. The Biden administration reversed rules, weakening species protections. AP<\/p>\n

Nearly a quarter of wolves in California were \u201cborn to pairs of siblings\u201d from the Whaleback Pack in NorCal. AP<\/p>\n

\u201cThe second confirmed pack identified with inbreeding in California in 2026 was the Ice Cave Pack,\u201d the group added.<\/p>\n

Data recorded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/a> (CDFW) \u2013\u2013\u00a0under the name \u201cCalifornia\u2019s Known Wolves\u201d \u2013\u2013 also shows inbreeding activities among wolves. CDFW findings show the Beyem Seyo and Ashcan pack being part of these instances.<\/p>\n

Data recorded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife shows inbreeding activities among wolves. AP<\/p>\n

While inbreeding among established wolves are rare, it is not uncommon in small and isolated populations. AP<\/p>\n

Despite one-quarter of wolves inbreeding with one another, one official is not concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, I would not characterize inbreeding as an immediate threat to the viability of California\u2019s wolf population,\u201d CDFW gray wolf expert Axel Hunnicutt told KTLA 5<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalifornia wolves remain connected to the larger western wolf population<\/a>, and wolves continue to disperse into California from Oregon and breed with animals representing different genetic lineages. We continue to document that gene flow annually,\u201d she continued to say.<\/p>\n

While inbreeding among established wolves are rare, it is not uncommon in small and isolated populations.<\/p>\n

Other animals such as cheetahs have resorted to inbreeding as a result of near-extinction as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) have faced extinction at least two times in the past after their populations were reduced, leading to inbreeding,\u201d National Geographic wrote in an article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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