California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is a state agency responsible for managing and protecting California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and their habitats. It enforces laws and regulations related to hunting, fishing, and environmental protection. The CDFW is currently newsworthy due to several recent actions and events. First, the California Fish and Game Commission, with input from CDFW, voted to list six groups of mountain lions in central and southern California under the California Endangered Species Act. Second, the CDFW confirmed the first gray wolf sighting in Los Angeles County in over a century. Axel Hunnicutt, a CDFW coordinator, highlighted the significance of this event. Finally, the CDFW is involved in a controversial plan to eradicate a non-native mule deer herd from Santa Catalina Island, sparking debate between local residents and the Catalina Island Conservancy. These events demonstrate the CDFW's ongoing role in wildlife conservation, endangered species protection, and managing human-wildlife interactions within the state.