A remarkable wildlife event unfolded in Los Angeles County as a gray wolf, identified as BEY03F, crossed the county line for the first time in over 100 years. This significant sighting occurred early on the morning of 7 February 2026 and marks the most southerly verified record of a gray wolf in contemporary history, according to Axel Hunnicutt, the gray wolf coordinator for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Journey of BEY03F
The three-year-old female wolf, distinguished by her black coat, was born into the Beyem Seyo pack in Plumas County in 2023. Her epic journey saw her traverse nearly the entire expanse of the Sierra Nevada mountains, presumably in pursuit of a mate. Equipped with a GPS collar since May 2025, wildlife officials have been monitoring her movements closely. As of the latest updates, BEY03F was seen travelling northward, though her progress has been impeded by the busy Interstate 5, a route notorious for vehicle strikes, which significantly threaten wolf populations.
Hunnicutt expressed optimism, stating, “It’s possible she may continue to travel hundreds of miles in search of a mate or she may come across a male tomorrow.” The wolf’s adventurous spirit is emblematic of a broader trend observed among the species in California, with the state’s gray wolf population showing signs of steady growth.
A Remarkable Comeback
Historically, gray wolves roamed extensively across the continental United States, but relentless hunting and trapping led to their near extinction. The last wild wolf in California was shot in 1924. The tide began to shift with the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, which afforded them protection. Subsequently, wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in the 1990s, leading to a gradual expansion of their range throughout the lower 48 states. The first recorded wolf to cross into California in recent times did so in 2011.
As of 2024, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimated the state’s gray wolf population to be at least 70, a notable increase from 44 the previous year. Hunnicutt remarked, “Just over 30 years ago, gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. The wolves in California are descendants of these animals and made their way to California because of wolves doing what BEY03F is doing now: being an explorer.”
Conservation Efforts and Legal Challenges
While the arrival of BEY03F in Los Angeles County is a cause for celebration among conservationists, it also highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring the species’ long-term protection. On 10 February, the Centre for Biological Diversity initiated legal action against the previous administration’s failure to establish a comprehensive national recovery plan for gray wolves. In 2024, the Biden administration’s Fish and Wildlife Service announced intentions to develop such a plan, yet by 2025, it shifted course, declaring that the gray wolf’s listing under the Endangered Species Act was “no longer appropriate.”
This legal and policy landscape is crucial as advocates work tirelessly to secure enduring protections for gray wolves, a species that continues to face threats from habitat loss and human encroachment.
Why it Matters
The appearance of BEY03F in Los Angeles County serves as a potent reminder of the resilience of wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts. As wolves begin to reclaim parts of their historical range, their presence signifies not only a triumph for ecological restoration but also underscores the need for robust legal frameworks to protect these animals. Ensuring their survival is not merely about preserving a species; it is about maintaining the health of entire ecosystems, fostering biodiversity, and understanding our shared responsibility to coexist with the natural world.
