A gray wolf has been confirmed in California’s Mendocino National Forest, marking the first such sighting in the area since the species returned to the state 15 years ago, according to state wildlife officials. The sightings were reported to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in late August, coming from a region where Mendocino, Glenn, and Lake counties meet. County supervisor Brad Rasmussen confirmed the sighting in a social media statement. The CDFW verified the presence of the wolf after receiving two reports, including photos, and conducted on-the-ground confirmation the following day. Alicia de la Garza, the CDFW deputy director of public affairs, noted that a wolf biologist confirmed the photos and identified wolf tracks in the area where one of the sightings was reported. Gray wolves were driven to extinction in California more than a century ago but began returning to the state in 2011. Since then, they have expanded their range, primarily in rural and remote areas in the northeast part of the state. There are now at least 50 documented wolves in California. The recent appearance in Lake County represents the only confirmed sighting west of the Sacramento Valley, according to Axel Hunnicutt, the state gray wolf coordinator for the CDFW. He noted that the species is gradually expanding its territory across the state. The return of the gray wolf has sparked controversy, especially among ranchers who have expressed frustration over the lack of options when wolves kill livestock. Since gray wolves are protected in California and under the federal Endangered Species Act, ranchers cannot legally kill them without permits. This has led to tensions between conservation efforts and agricultural interests. President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Supporting America’s Ranchers" last week, instructing the Interior Department to consider removing gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act and easing restrictions on "lethal removal." The US Fish and Wildlife Service has sought to de-list the gray wolf, but the matter remains under judicial review. A 2022 federal court order has protected gray wolves across most of the lower 48 states. Environmental groups have criticized Trump’s order, with Leia Barnett, New Mexico conservation lead for WildEarth Guardians, stating that the administration is attempting to override environmental laws to create industry exemptions and divert attention from other unpopular policies.