Gray Wolves

Conservation Challenges

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Wolves were exterminated in much of their historic range in North America because of people’s fear that they would prey on livestock. Stereotypes of the “big bad wolf” continue to influence perceptions of this species—despite being at odds with actual wolf behavior. As wolves have started ranging back into Northern California and establishing territories here, understandably many farmers and ranchers still have concerns about livestock predation. Wolves can also come into conflict with humans when they enter rural and suburban communities—where they encounter unsecured food, garbage, pets, and things that adversely affect their natural behavior. Auto accidents involving wolves also pose a threat to the species.

Habitat Loss

Wolves need large territorial areas to thrive—something that poses a challenge in California, where our wild spaces exist side-by-side with agricultural and urban areas. California’s large human population and ongoing development also puts pressure on wild spaces and wildlife.

Oakland Zoo is Taking Action for the Gray Wolf

Project Support

Oakland Zoo supports the mission of Working Circle, a non-profit organization that unites the values and views of rural and urban communities around sustainable ranching and large predator conservation. Through an annual partnership grant, Oakland Zoo supports Range Stewards who work directly with ranchers to reduce vulnerability in cattle and prevent predation. The zoo also supports the California Wolf Center through exhibit design, animal management programs, workshops that increase understanding for shared landscapes.  

Leadership Training and Staff Expertise

Oakland Zoo provides yearly professional development training for field partners, offering them a myriad of staff skills and resources to enhance conservation efforts.

Sales that Save Wildlife

Oakland Zoo’s gift shop helps support Oakland Zoo’s conservation commitment to wolves through the “Round Up for Wolves” program, offering guests the opportunity to “round up” their purchase fee to save gray wolves. The Gift Shop also offers Mt. Shasta Wild Predator Friendly Beef sticks, produced at a ranch that upholds the highest standards of caring for both cattle and wildlife, like wolves.

Community Engagement

Oakland Zoo shares conservation issues facing gray wolves and empowering solutions to conserve them to the public through a variety of channels: Docents and Volunteers, Teen Wild Guides, education programs, events, habitats, campaigns, keeper talks, and media stories.

Forever Homes

Our male wolf Sequoia is from the California Wolf Center, and our female wolf Siskiyou came from a conservation facility in Montana. In 2019, four wolf pups were born, creating a healthy and thriving pack at Oakland Zoo.

Taking Action for Gray Wolves: You Can Too!

• CHOOSE to Round Up for Wolves when you shop at the Oakland Zoo Gift Shop.
• PURCHASE Predator Friendly Beef from Mt. Shasta Wild in our Gift Shop and support ranches that are sustainable and in collaboration with wolf conservation.
• EXPERIENCE Range Riding yourself with Mt. Shasta Wild.
• PROTECT your own property and keep it predator safe.
• VISIT the California Wolf Center in Julian, CA (near San Diego).