Gray Wolf Spotted in California's Mendocino National Forest for First Time in Years

A gray wolf has been sighted in California's Mendocino National Forest for the first time since the species returned to the state 15 years ago, state wildlife officials confirmed.

Officials in Lake County, located about two hours north of San Francisco, said last week that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) had received reports of sightings in the forest in late August.

The agency verified the presence of a wolf in the far north end of the county, according to a statement from County Supervisor Brad Rasmussen posted on social media.

Gray wolves were driven to extinction in California before being reintroduced to the state in 2011. Officials said the latest sighting is seen as a sign that the species is continuing to expand its range within the state.