California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Jackie, an internet sensation bald eagle who was monitored near Big Bear Lake, died Monday after receiving medical treatment for illnesses, including anemia, at the Ojai Raptor Center. She had been found ill on July 17 by the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team following a fight with other eagles. Her care and existence were noted as emblematic of the species' overall successful comeback in California.

Jackie, a bald eagle popular for more than a decade as an internet sensation, died after receiving medical treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center. She was monitored via an online video feed from her nest near Big Bear Lake in California. Biologist Kelly Sorenson noted that viewing her breeding journey highlights the powerful success story of the species' comeback since protections were established.

California’s mute swan population decreased by 53% after a law allowing hunters and landowners to kill the invasive species took effect. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law last year amid opposition from animal welfare groups.

West Hollywood officials are requiring the owner of an abandoned construction site, now occupied by a coyote pack, to hire a wildlife control operator for humane management. The site, which was supposed to become a condominium, has been vacant since 2024 with expired permits.

A great white shark was filmed breaching near a boogie boarder at Newport Beach, with the family unaware of the encounter until reviewing the footage. The incident occurred as Shark Week 2026 began, and while shocking, shark-related incidents remain rare in California despite increased beach activity.

Five suspects were arrested in Los Angeles County for lobster-related violations, and 17 crustaceans were seized during a patrol targeting poachers in the closed season. The arrests occurred as part of a late-night coastline operation by California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials.

Black bears are increasingly breaking into homes around Lake Tahoe, with South Lake Tahoe police reporting 174 bear-related calls this year compared to 97 last year. Residents, including Margaret Deanesly Ziegler who spent $7,500 on bear-proofing measures, are installing electric mats, reinforced doors, and steel doors to deter wildlife. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises using bear-proof containers and electric fencing to reduce conflicts.

Democrats are advancing a bill to study reintroducing grizzly bears to California, facing opposition from rural residents, ranchers, and Republicans. The grizzly bear on California’s flag became extinct in the state over a century ago, and tribes and environmentalists argue its return could benefit the ecosystem.

Nearly three dozen lobsters were seized from alleged poachers on the Santa Monica Pier, with six people arrested. The lobsters, hidden in duffel bags, backpacks, vehicles, and a baby stroller, were returned to the ocean alive. The arrests occurred four months after the recreational spiny lobster season closed, involving violations like taking out-of-season lobsters and exceeding bag limits.

Six individuals were arrested for poaching lobsters at Santa Monica Pier, where they concealed the stolen lobsters in backpacks, duffel bags, vehicles, and a baby stroller. California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials used specially trained canines to aid in the operation.

Swarms of tiny, slimy edible grunion fish are expected to return to Southern California beaches from July 14 to July 17, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. These fish spawn in wet sand during full and new moons as part of annual grunion runs.

A suspected lobster poacher was caught spearfishing in the South La Jolla State Marine Reserve on June 13, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The individual was found with 24 lobsters, 21 of which were undersized.

A bear attacked a teenager through a window of a California home, causing alarm in the local mountain community. The incident, though rare, has prompted an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A bear attacked a 19-year-old's face and chest through a window in a Crestline home, causing community concern and prompting an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Bear attacks are rare in the area.

A bear attacked a 19-year-old's face and chest through the window of their home in Crestline. The incident, though rare, has caused concern among local residents and prompted an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A California couple fought off a 70-pound black bear with a hatchet and water bottle outside their home in Mammoth Lakes, sustaining significant injuries. The bear was euthanized after attacking the couple, and authorities emphasized that such aggressive behavior is rare. Police advised residents to secure garbage and avoid feeding bears to prevent similar incidents.

Wildlife officers in Sonoma County rescued a baby deer that had been taken from the wild and kept in a dog cage for over three weeks. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported the fawn is now at a rehabilitation facility.

A fawn kept as a pet by Sonoma County residents will be released back into the wild. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed an officer received a report about individuals taking the deer fawn from the wild.

A 17-month-old black bear was euthanized by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after it injured two people in the Old Mammoth area of Mammoth Lakes. The attack occurred at approximately 6 a.m. when a woman intervened to stop a fight between her dog and the bear.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials tranquilized and removed a black bear from a Ventura County neighborhood. Santa Paula Police Department responded to a bear sighting on Main Street in Santa Paula, cautioning residents to stay indoors.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife found Dudley Market, an upscale Los Angeles restaurant in Venice, repeatedly violated state and federal commercial fishing laws by unlawfully purchasing, possessing, and selling sport-caught fish.

A mountain lion that caused a commotion in a Santa Monica neighborhood was safely tranquilized by a California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist after multiple attempts. The incident occurred on the 400 block of Euclid Street, as confirmed by the Santa Monica Police Department.

A mountain lion was tranquilized and relocated in Santa Monica after being found in a residential backyard. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors during the operation, which involved the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service. The incident highlights guidelines for avoiding encounters with mountain lions.

California wildlife officials rescued nearly 6,000 rare rainbow trout after they got stranded in a Northern California creek due to unseasonably warm weather and low snowpack. The emergency operation was conducted over four days in March and April. Approximately 5,800 native Eagle Lake rainbow trout were saved.

A gray wolf has entered Sequoia National Park for the first time in over 100 years. The same wolf was previously spotted in Los Angeles County in February. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife tracked the wolf's entry into the park.

State officials euthanized a Monrovia bear, but her 4-month-old cubs are making progress toward returning to the wild. The cubs are brothers and their fate was uncertain after their mother's death. They are now on a path back to the wild.

The Ivanpah Solar Power Plant, an Obama-era solar plant, is allowed to continue operating despite killing thousands of birds annually. The plant, built with taxpayer support, remains in compliance under existing regulations. Regulators were aware of the risks before approving the project.

The Ivanpah Solar Power Plant, an Obama-era solar plant, is allowed to continue operating despite killing thousands of birds annually with its reflected solar beams. The plant remains in compliance under existing regulations and no fines or enforcement actions have been taken. The facility was built with taxpayer support and approved as part of a broader push to expand renewable energy.

A mountain lion was found in a busy Southern California neighborhood and tranquilized by officials. The incident occurred near the intersection of Mission Avenue and Grape Street in Escondido. California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the sighting.

A mountain lion's death has renewed calls for two proposed wildlife crossings in California's Mojave Desert. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported an 18-month-old male mountain lion was struck trying to cross State Route 62. This incident adds urgency to a state-funded project.

A 275-pound bear was captured by California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials in the Hansen Dam area and released in Angeles National Forest. The bear had caused a stir and ran from rangers before being caught. The incident occurred on Monday.

A bear was spotted roaming a neighborhood near Hansen Dam in Pacoima and was tranquilized by wildlife officials. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, with officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, park rangers, and the LAPD involved in the search. The bear was found atop a brick wall on Terra Bella Street and Borden Avenue.

A shipment of 40 illegal shark fins was discovered aboard a private jet arriving at a California airport in February. Authorities tracked the plane after a tip indicated it was transporting the cargo from Hawaii.

California wildlife officials warn that bear sightings, particularly black bears in the Lake Tahoe region, are becoming more common as temperatures rise, marking the start of a busy spring season for wildlife. Officials note that bears are emerging from dens in search of food.