In an attempt to better understand and manage the species that has returned to Northern California after being exterminated a century ago, wildlife officials have collared a dozen gray wolves.

The Golden State now has 16 more satellite-collared wolves than ever before, which will allow for better wolf population monitoring.

Although the recovery of the endangered apex predator is celebrated as a conservation success story, there are drawbacks, such as a rise in assaults on cattle and other animals.

In terms of being able to obtain a lot more data, educate a lot more livestock farmers, and do a lot more in-depth study, it's really opening a lot of doors for us," stated Axel Hunnicutt.

"The wolves were basically chased down by a contracted helicopter team that followed the radio frequency emitted by the collars, sometimes netting them or darting them from the sky," Hunnicutt said.

After being transported by air to a base camp, a state team fitted the wolves with satellite collars and performed a workup that involved collecting blood and DNA samples as well as body measurements.

In the end, the animals were driven near the location of their capture and subsequent release.

One of the five wolves taken from Sierra County's Beyem Seyo pack had previously been collared. Two were taken from the Whaleback pack in Siskiyou County, and five more were taken from the Harvey pack in Lassen County, including one that had previously been collared.

According to Hunnicutt, the quantity of catches was higher than anticipated. Four of the newly collared wolves were adults, and the remaining wolves were either born the previous year or the year before. There were five men and seven women.

According to Hunnicutt, the collars will be used to track the state's wolf population, which increased from 44 in 2023 to an estimated 70 in the fall of last year.

"It was important to collide a good number of younger wolves," he stated. Two adults and their young make up the majority of packs; the younger wolves eventually split off and try to start other packs.

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