Wolf Resurgence Costs Ranchers Up to $162,000 Per Wolf, Study Finds

California’s gray wolf population, once thought to be extinct, has staged a remarkable comeback since a lone wolf crossed from Oregon back in 2011. By 2024, seven wolf packs roamed the state, sparking a bit of awe and what’s looking like a whole lot of conflict. A recent study from UC Davis, went on to quantify the economic toll of this resurgence on cattle ranchers, estimating that a single wolf can cause upwards $69,000 to $162,000 in annual losses due to direct predation and indirect effects like reduced calf weight and pregnancy rates. And while these figures highlight the challenges ranchers are facing, they also underscore the urgent need for proactive, science-based wolf management strategies that foster some sort of coexistence. 

Conducted over three summers (2022–2024) in northeastern California, the UC Davis study focused on three wolf packs—Harvey, Lassen, and Beyem Seyo. Using motion-activated cameras, GPS collars, wolf scat analysis, and cattle hair cortisol tests, researchers documented the scale of wolf-cattle interactions. 

What they found was that, from an economic perspective, each individual wolf contributes to significant losses, with regional indirect losses estimated at $1.4 million to $3.4 million annually. Going granular, the study also focused on the dietary staples of the subject wolves and found that 72% of wolf scat samples from 2022 and 2023 contained cattle DNA, providing further proof of the allegations that cattle are a major food source for wolves in the study areas. Researchers also found that cattle situated close to wolf territories also displayed elevated levels of cortisol, suggesting chronic stress and thus impacting herd productivity.

“It is clear the scale of conflict between wolves and cattle is substantial, expanding, and costly to ranchers in terms of animal welfare, animal performance, and ranch profitability.” Tina Saitone, a UC Davis professor and study co-author, noted. 

Yet, she also emphasized the ecological role of wolves, stating that while cattle appear to be a major component of wolf diet, those very calories are driving their conservation success.

As a protected species under state and federal endangered species laws, wolves remain vital to California’s biodiversity. They regulate prey populations like mule deer, which can otherwise overgraze vegetation, and their presence enhances ecosystem resilience. However, the study reveals that without effective management, wolf recovery risks alienating ranchers, whose cooperation is essential for long-term conservation success. 

“The department is actively tracking wolf activity, informing ranchers, and providing guidance on avoiding conflicts,” said Peter Tira, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). In January of this year, CDFW collared 12 wolves across three counties, inviting ranchers to participate in the process in an effort to build trust and share knowledge. 

While the state of California is likely a long way off from having any semblance of a wolf hunting or trapping season, the study’s findings bolster the case for scaling up non-lethal deterrents. Reflective flags, electric fencing, and guard dogs have shown mixed results, with some ranchers reporting reduced effectiveness over time. However, wolf conservationists argue for refining these methods.

Glenn Elzinga, an Idaho rancher who has avoided wolf attacks for a decade, offers a model for coexistence. Speaking to Colorado ranchers, he described wolves as “a change agent” that requires adaptive grazing practices, such as tighter herd management and leveraging natural barriers. His success suggests that California ranchers, with support, could adopt similar strategies to reduce losses while respecting wolves’ ecological role.

The CDFW’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program, which paid out $3.1 million from 2021 to 2024, has been a lifeline for ranchers, though funding dropped to $600,000 annually in 2024. 

The study’s high loss estimates, which far exceed current compensation, highlight the need for robust, sustained funding. Beyond compensation, policy updates are critical. CDFW’s now outdated 2016 Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves is under review to address the growing population, which is now estimated at over 100 wolves. 

“Given the growing population of gray wolves in the state, CDFW will initiate a review to evaluate the status of gray wolves,” the agency stated. 

Officials and researchers alike remain hopeful that this review could lead to tailored management plans that can work to balance wolf protection along with the needs of the state’s ranching community.