Wildlife authorities are in the process of capturing and relocating the initial pack of wolves to form under Colorado’s bold wolf reintroduction program. The decision comes after the wolves repeatedly targeted and attacked livestock, representing an early setback in the first year of the voter-driven initiative.
Just a week prior, state officials had proudly announced the birth of three pups to the Copper Creek pack, which emerged after the release of 10 wolves in December amidst opposition from livestock groups. The pack currently consists of at least two adult wolves.
The attempt to capture the wolves contradicts the state’s wolf management plan, which states that relocation “has little technical merit” as it may lead to further issues elsewhere if the wolves persist in attacking livestock. The exact location where the Copper Creek pack will be moved to has not been disclosed.
While ranching groups advocated for the elimination of the wolf pack, wildlife supporters suggested implementing measures such as the use of electric fencing to prevent livestock attacks more effectively.
Unlike other regions in the U.S. where wolves are well-established and routinely culled by wildlife officials in response to livestock attacks, Colorado is opting to capture problematic wolves instead of resorting to lethal measures to address the conflict.
Michael Saul from Defenders of Wildlife described the situation as a significant setback for the wolf reintroduction effort in Colorado, emphasizing that existing tools are successfully used by many ranchers to coexist with wolves without encountering such issues.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis referred to the relocation of the Copper Creek pack as a “unique case,” expressing that it does not set a precedent for future resolutions to wolf-livestock conflicts. The ultimate objective of the relocation is to move the pack to a new location while exploring the best options for them to continue contributing to the successful wolf restoration in Colorado.
The initiative for wolf reintroduction in Colorado was narrowly endorsed by voters in a 2020 ballot measure. Wildlife authorities anticipate releasing an additional 30 to 50 wolves in the upcoming years. Furthermore, a few wolves have already migrated into Colorado from Wyoming.
Advocates of the program argued that reintroducing these apex predators would help restore ecological balance in the region, as wolves were largely eradicated from the state by the 1940s. In case calves are killed by wolves, the state can compensate owners based on the animal’s market value, up to $15,000. However, ranchers have expressed concerns that this compensation is insufficient.
According to a previous review of depredation data from state and federal agencies, gray wolves were responsible for around 800 domesticated animal deaths in 2022, including in Colorado. While individual ranchers may suffer losses, the overall impact on the industry is deemed minimal.