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Gray Wolf Diet Composition in California's Human-Dominated Landscape
Tina L Saitone1, Kenneth W Tate2, Benjamin J Sacks3
1Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America.
Plos One
|July 8, 2026
Summary
Gray wolves in California primarily eat cattle, consuming 72% of their diet. This finding presents challenges for human-wolf coexistence in modified landscapes.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Wildlife Conservation
- Genetics
Background:
- Gray wolves are recolonizing human-modified landscapes globally.
- Understanding wolf diet is crucial for managing human-wolf coexistence and conservation.
- Predation on livestock raises concerns among stakeholders in recolonized areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the diet of a recolonizing wolf population in California.
- Determine the ecological role and impact of wolves in human-altered environments.
- Provide data to inform coexistence strategies and conservation efforts.
Main Methods:
- Utilized DNA metabarcoding on scat samples for species identification.
- Employed genetic analysis for individual wolf identification.
- Quantified dietary components and estimated biomass contribution.
Main Results:
- Cattle constituted the dominant prey item, present in 72% of samples.
- Mule deer (45%) and small mammals (51%) were also consumed.
- Cattle represented the largest dietary biomass proportion (55%), followed by small mammals (15%) and mule deer (12%).
Conclusions:
- Wolves in California's human-modified landscapes primarily consume livestock.
- This dietary pattern highlights significant challenges for human-wolf coexistence.
- Findings underscore the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
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