According to a statement from Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick, wolf-livestock conflicts continue to escalate across rural Northern California — particularly in Sierra Valley, where the number of confirmed or probable wolf attacks on cattle has more than doubled in recent months, despite state efforts to help.
According to a recent Sacramento Bee report, from March to September 2025, the Sierra Valley region saw 76 confirmed or probable wolf attacks, up from 30 earlier this year. Statewide, incidents climbed from 54 in June to 122 by September, with most in Lassen, Sierra, Plumas, Modoc and Siskiyou counties.
On the brighter side, Tulare County remains the only region with no confirmed kills. These attacks have devastated family ranches — costing tens of thousands in livestock losses — and taken an emotional toll on ranchers and their families.
Local law enforcement, UC Cooperative Extension and county leaders are working together to support affected residents, including hosting trauma-response training for those coping with repeated losses. The state’s wolf strike team, stationed in Sierra Valley since June, utilized nonlethal deterrents such as drones, night patrols and 24-hour monitoring. However, the strike team’s operations ended Sept. 30 — and despite 16,000 hours dedicated to the effort, local leaders say there is little measurable progress.
What Team Hadwick is doing to address the wolf crisis …