Helicopter Operations Target Whaleback and Harvey Wolf Packs
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recently completed helicopter capture operations resulting in the satellite collaring of five gray wolves in northern California. Operations occurred between January 12 and 20 in Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama counties. The wolves collared were associated with the Whaleback and Harvey packs.
How and Why Gray Wolves Are Collared in California
Satellite collaring is a critical management and research tool that helps CDFW monitor wolf populations, better understand landscape use and movement patterns, and reduce the risk of wolf–livestock conflict.
The collars do not provide real-time data; instead, they collect multiple location points per day and generally transmit those stored locations to CDFW once a day. Each collar has an expected battery life of approximately two to three years and is programmed to drop off the animal before the battery is depleted. 
Details on the Five Wolves Captured and Released
Immediately after capture, each wolf was flown to a nearby field processing site and fitted with a satellite/VHF collar. CDFW veterinary and biological staff also collected standard biological data, including body measurements, DNA and blood samples. These data allow CDFW to monitor wolf health, screen for disease, and assess genetic relatedness among individuals and packs. After collaring, each wolf was released on public land as close as practical to its capture location.
The five wolves collared during the operation included:
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An adult male captured in northern Lassen County that was born into the Whaleback pack. Following release, collar data showed that the wolf returned to its natal Whaleback pack.
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A previously collared, dispersing adult male from the Harvey pack captured in Modoc County. Its collar was replaced.
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A Harvey pack female born in 2024 and captured in northwestern Lassen County.
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Two Harvey pack females born in 2025 and captured in northeastern Shasta County.
Risks and Realities of Wildlife Capture Operations
Wildlife capture operations inherently carry risk to captured animals. During this operation, a sixth wolf—an adult female from the Harvey pack—died after capture. Factors contributing to its death are being investigated.
Tracking California’s Growing Gray Wolf Population
Over the past decade, CDFW has successfully captured 38 gray wolves statewide for the purpose of collaring. Presently, there are 13 wolves carrying active collars. Within days of capture, the approximate locations of the newly collared wolves began showing on CDFW’s Wolf Tracker mapping tool. More information about California’s wolves can be found on CDFW’s gray wolf web pages.
MAIN PHOTO: A yearling female gray wolf from the Whaleback pack is released after capture and collaring in Siskiyou County in November. Photo courtesy of Malia Brytus/California Wolf Project.
Source: Information for this article was provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
