Gray Wolf Confirmed in Northern California’s Mendocino National Forest
A gray wolf has been confirmed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as being spotted in Northern California's Mendocino National Forest and Lake County.
Sacramento Stockton Modesto, CA, September 9, 2026 — A gray wolf has been confirmed in Northern California, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The agency verified the presence of the wolf in the Mendocino National Forest and Lake County.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has officially confirmed the sighting of a gray wolf within the expansive Mendocino National Forest and the adjacent Lake County. This confirmation marks the presence of the species in these northern California regions. The specific date of the sighting or the identity of the wolf, such as a known collared individual, was not provided in the available information.
Gray wolves were once native to California but were extirpated by the mid-20th century. Their return to the state, even as individuals, is a significant ecological event. The CDFW is responsible for monitoring wildlife populations, including the potential re-establishment of species like the gray wolf. Information regarding the wolf’s origin, whether it is part of a known pack from a neighboring state or an isolated disperser, was not immediately available.
Mendocino National Forest is a large, rugged area known for its diverse ecosystems, and Lake County is situated to its east. The presence of a large predator like a gray wolf can indicate a healthy ecosystem, but it also can raise questions about management and coexistence with livestock and human communities. Further details on the circumstances of the sighting and any ongoing monitoring efforts by the CDFW were not disclosed.
Story summarized from the original created by Katie Chavez on fox40.com, see more information here.
