Wildlife encounters & new animal laws in California in 2025

All the articles explore how unique interactions with California's wildlife highlight environmental issues and human interventions. For instance, grazing goats reduce wildfire risks in Sacramento. These goats help manage vegetation that can fuel fires. Additionally, programs flooding farms guide birds, balancing farming needs and wildlife conservation.

Farmers create temporary wetlands, supporting shorebird populations. Meanwhile, rare black bear sightings in caves underscore efforts to maintain habitats for wildlife. These interactions reflect ongoing wildlife management and raise discussions about conservation efforts in California.

A herd of goat and sheep eat dry vegetation in Sacramento County. The county’s Regional Parks Department employs these “four-legged firefighters” to eat up dry grass and overgrowing shrubs to reduce fires.

NO. 1: GOATS ARE BACK FIGHTING WILDFIRE RISK IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. HOW IT WORKS

“They’re really good at getting into the areas where our people can’t get with their equipment,” said a county spokesperson. | Published May 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Emma Hall

A long-billed dowitcher forages for food in shallow wetlands in a flooded agricultural field off Highway 45 in Yolo County on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. Programs like BirdReturns incentivize farmers to flood fields during migration seasons, aligning agriculture with bird conservation efforts. By RENÉE C. BYER

NO. 2: CAN WE HELP BIRDS FIND THEIR WAY HOME? HOW FLOODING FARMS PROVIDES A GUIDE

The binocular sights came up short of the black-and-white markings Drake Stallworth spotted in the distance, somewhere atop the sun-soaked field of water. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jake Goodrick

It is now illegal for veterinarians to declaw cats in California, thanks to a new law banning the procedure.

NO. 3: IT’S NOW ILLEGAL TO DECLAW A CAT IN CALIFORNIA. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NEW PET LAWS

It is now illegal for veterinarians to declaw cats in California as a result of a new law banning the procedure. | Published October 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger

A newborn okapi calf rests beside his mother, Kivuli, in a private enclosure at the Sacramento Zoo. Both animals are healthy and will remain off exhibit for several weeks while they bond under the care of zoo staff.

NO. 4: IT’S A BOY: SACRAMENTO ZOO MARKS MILESTONE BIRTH OF FIRST OKAPI CALF

A newborn okapi has made history as the first-ever of the species to be born at the Sacramento Zoo. | Published October 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Darrell Smith

Tiny is a Chilean rose-hair tarantula whose venom paralyzes its prey and liquefies its innards. By ALEX CASON

NO. 5: GIANT, HAIRY SPIDERS ARE CRAWLING ACROSS CALIFORNIA. ARE THEY DANGEROUS?

Beware, Californians: | Published September 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

A bear made an “incredibly rare” sighting at Lava Beds National Monument, park officials say.

NO. 6: SHY, ‘HANDSOME’ BEAR BUMPS CAMERA IN ‘INCREDIBLY RARE’ CALIFORNIA CAVE SIGHTING

As a lone black bear searched for sustenance, it found itself in a cave at a national monument in California. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura

A long-distance swimmer was bitten off the coast of Catalina Island, fire officials say.

NO. 7: SHARK BITES SWIMMER’S HAND, THEN FOOT AS HE KICKS IT AWAY, CA OFFICIALS SAY

A long-distance swimmer was bitten by a shark off the coast of California, fire officials say. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.