Colorado wildlife officials are gearing up to locate a wolf pack suspected of causing multiple livestock injuries in the state. This move follows a series of alarming incidents where various farm animals have been attacked, raising concerns among ranchers and igniting discussions about the ongoing management of wolves in the region.
This situation arises after the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPW) initiated a gray wolf reintroduction program in December, per a statute passed last November that mandates the CPW develop a strategy for wolf management in areas west of the Continental Divide. As part of the program, ten wolves were reintroduced into the state, according to the CPW website.
The main aim of the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan is to establish and maintain a healthy, self-sustaining wolf population while also minimizing any conflicts with livestock, other wildlife, and human communities, as noted by CPW.
However, reports indicate that since April, wolves have been responsible for the deaths of 24 cattle and sheep, with most incidents linked to the Copper Creek Pack, which includes a breeding pair and three pups in Grand County, reports the Yampa Valley Bugle.
Each released wolf is equipped with satellite GPS collars that log their locations every four hours. However, various environmental factors can affect the ability to track their current whereabouts or predict their movements.
In response to the conflicts, the CPW has commenced efforts to capture and relocate the Copper Creek pack. CPW director Jeff Davis emphasized that the decision followed extensive discussions with numerous stakeholders, asserting that such measures are not indicative of a standard approach for future wolf-livestock conflicts.
The aim of this operation is to find the pack a new home while evaluating the best ways to ensure their successful integration into Colorado’s ecosystem. “CPW remains dedicated to fulfilling the desires of Colorado voters for the restoration of the gray wolf population while also addressing the needs of local communities,” he noted.
To maintain the safety of both the wolf pack and the CPW staff, the specific locations of the wolves will remain confidential until the operation concludes, with further updates promised afterward.
As reported by The Denver Post, ranchers in Colorado’s Middle Park region have long called for CPW intervention in response to livestock attacks, but previous requests for lethal control have been denied.
It’s important to note that, under the Endangered Species Act, gray wolves across the contiguous U.S., apart from those in the Northern Rocky Mountain area, are currently protected.