California's Gray Wolves Primarily Feed on Livestock, Study Finds

A study by UC Davis has found that California's gray wolves, which have been repopulating the state for over a decade, primarily feed on livestock. The research analyzed 105 scat samples collected between 2022 and 2023, revealing that 72 percent contained cattle DNA.

The study indicates that the presence of cattle on ranches significantly influences the wolves' diet, as they adapt to their environment and seek food sources that require less energy to obtain. Cattle constituted 55 percent of the biomass in the samples, while mule deer and small mammals were also present.

California's gray wolves, which disappeared mid-century, began returning in 2015, and the state now has nine packs totaling at least 55 individuals. The decline of mule deer populations may be contributing to the wolves' preference for livestock. In response to the situation, California has allocated $2 million to help ranchers mitigate wolf predation.