Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors Urges Federal Delisting of Gray Wolves

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors has formally requested federal action to remove the gray wolf (Canis lupus) from the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In a letter to Congressman Doug LaMalfa, the Board cited growing concerns over the impact of gray wolves on the region’s agricultural economy and rural communities.

The letter outlines how wolf populations in Siskiyou County have expanded in recent years, resulting in over 80 confirmed and 9 probable livestock depredations since 2021. Local estimates suggest the real number of losses may be significantly higher due to the difficulty of locating carcasses in remote, rugged terrain. Ranchers in areas like the Shasta Valley have experienced repeated losses, and the county’s wolf liaison recently confirmed the birth of at least nine new pups in one pack this year, signaling continued population growth.

Beyond direct livestock kills, the Supervisors emphasized that the persistent presence of wolves causes chronic stress in cattle, reduced reproduction, and weight loss, all of which compound the economic toll on ranching operations. Despite investments in non-lethal deterrents and monitoring, the Board says current federal protections limit prevent effective local management of the growing problem.

“The species has met recovery goals, and continued federal listing is no longer justified,” the Board wrote, urging Congress to support a new rule making process by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to formally delist the gray wolf.

The Board’s request aligns with a similar letter jointly submitted by representatives from Siskiyou, Modoc, and Klamath counties (the “Tri-Counties”), which also called for delisting based on recovery progress, ecological considerations, and the need for more localized control to protect rural livelihoods. To read the full Tri-Counties letter, please see the supporting documents below. 

Both letters express support for responsible wildlife management but stress that federal protections must reflect on-the-ground realities and the impacts felt by agricultural communities.

To view the full letter from the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, please see below.