Wolves’ New Diet Shocks Ranchers | Orange County News

Orange County News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 9, 2026 · 1m

Wolves are thriving in California—but at a steep cost to ranchers. New UC Davis research reveals cattle make up 72% of wolf diets, far outpacing their natural prey like mule deer. As wolf numbers surge in the northeast, ranchers face skyrocketing livestock losses, prompting state officials to euthanize four wolves for repeated cattle kills. Even the wolves’ mere presence is causing stress in herds, with elevated cortisol levels found in cattle hair samples—potentially hitting ranch profits long before any animal is lost. With wolves returning after a century’s absence, wildlife managers…