California has taken important steps to protect wild animals, advancing humane coexistence strategies while blocking legislation that could have weakened protections for endangered species and expanded opportunities to hunt animals.

These outcomes reflect the power of speaking up for wild animals whose lives hang in the balance when lawmakers make decisions. Thanks to passionate advocates across California, important protections are moving forward, dangerous proposals have been stopped, and the fight for a future where wild animals can live safely and freely continues. Here's how these legislative battles unfolded — and what they mean for the animals we are fighting to protect. 

California Wildlife Coexistence Act Signed Into Law

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed the California Wildlife Coexistence Act (SB 1135) into law, establishing a statewide framework to prevent and resolve conflicts between people and wild animals through proactive, science-based coexistence strategies.

In Defense of Animals’ supporters helped move this legislation forward through three action alerts. Supporters urged California senators to pass the Wildlife Coexistence Act and protect wild animals through humane, nonlethal solutions. After the bill advanced, supporters took action again to support SB 1135 while urging assemblymembers to remove a provision that could put protected wolves at risk. When the bill reached Gov. Newsom’s desk, supporters sent a final wave of messages urging him to sign the Wildlife Coexistence Act, which he did on September 29, 2026.

The new Act will benefit a wide range of wild animals, from wolves and bears to mountain lions and other animals often caught in the crosshairs of conflicts with humans. It directs the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize proactive, science-based and nonlethal approaches to preventing and resolving conflicts, while tracking incidents and supporting community-based coexistence efforts.

The new Act represents an important step toward making coexistence a central part of California’s approach to conflicts with wild animals. While the final legislation retained the provision concerning dogs pursuing wolves, the statewide coexistence framework is a significant advancement for humane wildlife policy. This Act will help protect both communities and the wild animals who share the landscape with them.

Gov. Newsom Vetoes Bill That Could Have Allowed Killing of Endangered Species

Another important victory came when Gov. Newsom vetoed AB 1722, which would have created a loophole allowing the killing of species protected under the California Endangered Species Act.

IDA supporters first opposed AB 1722 in May and later urged Gov. Newsom to veto the bill after it passed the Legislature. By stopping AB 1722, California preserved important legal protections for endangered wild animals and prevented a dangerous expansion of circumstances in which these animals could be killed. For species already struggling to survive, maintaining these protections is critical to preventing further losses and supporting their recovery.

Hunting Bill for Children With Life-Threatening Illnesses Fails

SB 1021, which would have expanded opportunities for children with life-threatening illnesses to hunt animals, also failed to reach the Governor.

IDA supporters spoke out against the bill in May and again in August as it advanced through the Legislature. Its failure means California will not expand a program that facilitates the killing of wild animals as part of an experience for children facing serious illnesses. Wild animals will not be subjected to additional hunting pressure under an expanded program, and California has avoided further normalizing the killing of animals for recreation.

A Setback for Grizzly Bears

Not every outcome went our way. In Defense of Animals supporters urged California lawmakers to support SB 1305, which would have explored whether and how grizzly bears could responsibly return to California.

Our alert urged California residents to help bring grizzly bears back by supporting a scientific assessment of the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction. The bill ultimately failed to advance, a disappointing setback for the possibility of restoring this native species to California.

Together, these legislative outcomes show both the progress and the challenges facing wild animals in California. The Wildlife Coexistence Act provides a foundation for humane solutions, while the veto of AB 1722 and failure of SB 1021 prevented additional threats to wild animals from becoming law.

In Defense of Animals will continue advocating for policies that prioritize prevention, coexistence, and science-based solutions over killing.

Together, We Can Protect Wild Animals

These victories show what’s possible when advocates speak up for wild animals. But the work continues. Donate today to support IDA’s advocacy for humane, science-based protections that help wild animals thrive.