Gray wolf spotted in north L.A. County for first time in over a century

The 3-year-old female wolf traveled over 370 miles from Plumas County to reach the area near Pyramid Lake.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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For the first time in more than 100 years, a gray wolf has been documented in Los Angeles County. The 3-year-old female wolf, known as BEY03F, arrived in the northwestern part of L.A. County near Pyramid Lake on Saturday morning, according to data from her GPS collar. Experts say she is originally from a pack in Plumas County and is likely searching for a mate.

Why it matters

The return of gray wolves to California is a significant conservation milestone, as the species was hunted to near-extinction in the state by the early 20th century. This wolf's appearance in L.A. County marks the furthest south a verified wolf has traveled since their reintroduction to Yellowstone three decades ago, underscoring the species' gradual recovery and expansion.

The details

The 3-year-old gray wolf, named BEY03F, was fitted with a GPS collar last May when she was spending time with the Yowlumni Pack in Tulare County. To reach her current location in northwestern L.A. County, she has traveled over 370 miles, walking the length of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Experts say her continued movement indicates she has not yet found a mate and suitable habitat.

  • The gray wolf arrived in north L.A. County on Saturday, February 10, 2026.
  • BEY03F was fitted with a GPS collar in May 2025 while with the Yowlumni Pack in Tulare County.

The players

BEY03F

A 3-year-old female gray wolf originally from the Beyem Seyo Pack in Plumas County.

Axel Hunnicutt

Gray wolf coordinator for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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What they’re saying

“This wolf is the furthest south we have verified a wolf since that introduction 30 years ago. And it's the first time we have verified a wolf in L.A. County in modern times.”

— Axel Hunnicutt, Gray wolf coordinator, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (abc7.com)

What’s next

Officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to monitor the wolf's movements and location using the GPS data from her collar, in order to help mitigate any potential conflicts with livestock in the area.

The takeaway

The appearance of this gray wolf in L.A. County is a remarkable milestone in the species' recovery in California, demonstrating their ability to traverse long distances in search of new territory and mates. It underscores the importance of continued conservation efforts to protect and restore gray wolf populations across the state.