Department Evaluation of the Petition to List Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

as Endangered in California

Fish and Game Commission MeetingOctober 3, 2012

1. Department’s evaluation of the petition to list the gray wolf as endangered in California (CA)

2. Overview of Department plans for conservation and management of gray wolf in CA

3. Update on wolf OR7 and clarify Department’s actions related to concerns/reports on wolves

PurposePresentation - Three Parts:

Partners, Stakeholders, and DFG Staff:

•U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners

•U.S. Department of Agriculture -Wildlife Services partners

•Stakeholder organizations

•Mark Stopher, Karen Kovacs, Richard Callas, Pete Figura, Rhianna Lee, Dale Steele, Dan Applebee, Mike Carion and LED staff, Leadership/OGC team

Acknowledgments

Petition

Petition to List the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) as an Endangered Species Under the California

Endangered Species Act

Center for Biological DiversityBig WildlifeEnvironmental Protection Information CenterKlamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center

February 27, 2012

http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/2012/gwpetition.pdf

Part 1- Petition Evaluation

Per Fish and Game Code (FGC) 2073.5:

the department shall evaluate the petition on its evaluate the petition on its faceface and in relation to other relevant informationin relation to other relevant information the department possesses or receives, and submit to the commission its written evaluation report.

• The focus of our evaluation is on the species gray wolf, Canis lupus, in CA

• Evaluate the petition and other information in 12 topic areas

CCR Title 14, § 670.1. Listing of Endangered and Threatened Species

"the petition on its face"  

Elements (Partial list)

Sufficient Scientific

Information in California

Other Relevant Scientific

Information

Population Trend    

Range    

Distribution    

Abundance (How many)    

Life History    

Kind of Habitat Necessary for Survival    

Population TrendPopulation trend- is the population going up/down/static?

• No Scientific Information for CA(population did go from 0 to 1)

• Gray wolf populations increasing in other areas outside of CA.

• Some states such as Idaho now actively managing numbers.

• Potential for a breeding population of wolves in CA

Range

Range is geographic area inhabited by a population(s) of a species

• No scientific information for CA

• Premature to identify a range given the lack of a reproducing population.

• Gray wolves are a wide-ranging species in North America.

• Occupy large geographic areas to support a population.

Distribution

• No scientific information for CA

• Gray wolf populations have been expanding in the western United States.

• States embarking on active management through hunting programs may affect future expansion.

Abundance

Abundance is how many wolves in CA

• No scientific information for CA.

• We know there is one radio-collared wolf in the state.

• It is possible there are other wolves. Surveys, remote camera stations have not detected any other wolves.

• Increase in gray wolf populations in the west.

• Relevance to CA is uncertain at this time.

Life History

Life history - the behaviors and biology of the animal

• No scientific information for CA

• Other information likely relevant if a population of wolves were to become established in CA.

Kind of Habitat Necessary for Survival

• No scientific information for CA

• Info from elsewhere may provide some insight into the potential habitat(s) necessary.

• CA’s climate and habitats more varied and complex than other western states.

• Unless wolves become established and are studied, details and relevance will remain uncertain.

Factors affecting survival and reproduction

Factors affecting survival and reproduction - habitat loss, mortality, etc.

• No scientific information for CA

• Other information in the Petition may be applicable to CA.

• These factors cannot be accurately projected in the absence of data on human response and habitat loss.

Degree and Immediacy of Threat

Degree and immediacy of threat - human predation, habitat loss primarily

• No scientific information for CA

• Degree and immediacy of threat is uncertain.

• There will be both negative and positive attitudes related to wolf in CA.

Impact of Existing ManagementImpact of existing management – human predation, habitat

loss, etc.

• No scientific information for CA

• Planning/outreach activity related to wolf conservation and management.

• Initiating a comprehensive plan similar to other states.

• There is uncertainty regarding how management activities may affect wolves.

Suggestions for Future Management

• No scientific information that the recommended actions are necessary.

• Information from elsewhere is likely relevant and may inform strategies in CA.

• Actions that may be necessary in CA are uncertain.

Sources of Information, Distribution Map (Yes/No)

• The Petition did not include a detailed distribution map; provided a general historic range map.

• The Petition includes a list of references cited in the document.

• The references were not provided by petitioners.

Measure or Criteria Evaluated

Sufficient Scientific

Information in California?

Other Relevant Information?

Population Trend No Likely relevant

Range No Likely relevant

Distribution No Likely relevant

Abundance (number of animals) We know of 1 Uncertain relevance

Life History No Likely relevant

Kind of Habitat Necessary for Survival No Uncertain relevance

Factors affecting Survival/Reproduction No Uncertain relevance

Degree and Immediacy of Threat No Uncertain relevance

Impact of Existing Management No Uncertain relevance

Suggestions for Future Management No Likely relevant

Avail and Sources of Information No and Yes No

Detailed distribution map No No

Department Recommendation

• The Department’s review of relevant information in relation to the petition leads the Department to recommend that the Commission accept the petition for further consideration.

• The Department believes there is sufficient information to indicate that the petitioned action may be warranted.

Part Two - The Proactive Efforts

• Planning for wolf conservation and management

• Department, USFWS, and Wildlife Services have a joint coordination plan to address wolf issues.

• Federal ESA grant for a written plan/strategy.

• Conducted several stakeholder meetings and briefings with county govt. officials.

• Stakeholder efforts will continue as we develop a plan.

Planning Document

• Planning document will develop goals and objectives for wolves in California

Elements will include:• Conservation and management of wolves if a population

or pack(s) becomes established

• Addressing livestock depredation and strategies to prevent and resolve them

• Addressing wolf predation on key game species-elk and deer

• Disease and health issues and concerns

• Public safety

Part Three - Update on OR7

• Location is tracked by GPS telemetry points 4x per day

• Collar anticipated to last until early 2014

• Spent most of summer in the forested area in the vicinity of Lake Almanor/Lassen Park- still in that area

• Only verified sighting was in Modoc County in May, (photos by Shinn)

• No knowledge that he has killed any animals; some carcasses that he has fed on have been located

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/wolf/

Part Three - Clarification

Clarifying Internet/email concerns and stories and inaccurate reporting:

• The Department has no plans to bring 400 wolves to CA

• There are no plans to release wolves for OR7 to find

• The Department has not released any wolves

• The Department has no evidence there are other wolves in the wild in CA

Part Three - Clarification (Continued)(Internet/email concerns, stories, etc.)

• Elk were not translocated into Northern CA for wolves

• We do not propose to reintroduce wolves by 2017 (this was a recommendation in the petition however)

• The Department has not recommended the gray wolf be listed.

• Various disease vectors are feared to be brought in by wolves; some have previously been detected in California.

Concern that these gray wolves (Canis lupus) are a large race of wolves from Canada?

  Female Male

Idaho wolves 83 lb 99 lb

Oregon wolves 81 lb 100 lb

Alaska wolves 90 lb 100-105

Canada wolves 91 lb 106 lb

CA mountain lions 82 lb 110 lb

Part Three - Clarification (Continued)(Internet/email concerns, stories, etc.)

Thank you

California Department of Fish and GameEmail: eloft@dfg.ca.gov

www.dfg.ca.gov