A recent study by UC Davis has found that gray wolves in California are relying heavily on cattle for food. The study analyzed wolf scat samples from the Lassen and Harvey packs during the summers of 2022 and 2023 and found that cattle DNA was present in 72% of the samples. This reliance on cattle is attributed to the scarcity of natural prey options in the state, particularly mule deer, which have declined significantly since the 1970s.
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California Wolves Rely Heavily on Cattle for Food
Gray wolves in California are relying heavily on cattle as a food source, with cattle DNA found in 72% of wolf scat samples. Researchers say this reliance is due to the scarcity of natural prey options in the…
Image/source material from KRCR Local.
Key Details
- Location: California
- Date/time: Summers of 2022 and 2023
- Agencies involved: UC Davis Cooperative Extension
- Status: Published study findings
- Public impact: Raises concerns for ranchers about wolf-human conflict
Tina Saitone
Mary Rickert
UC Davis Cooperative Extension
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
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