Wolf Updates, Four Months Later
It has been four months since Colorado Parks and Wildlife released ten wolves onto Colorado’s western slope. Here are the highlights.
Expanded Range
Image Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
What happened? Based on CPW’s monthly wolf maps, their range has expanded significantly; this month, wolves were reported on the eastern side of the Continental Divide and into the Front Range for the first time.
The big picture: Scientists did not expect that wolves would stay in the same place they were released; they have large ranges and can expect to disperse throughout the state. It is unlikely they will approach large towns or cities, so there is no need for alarm - for instance, the fact that they have been observed bordering Boulder County does not mean that they will move into highly populated areas. However, it is important for everyone living near wolves to do their part to reduce potential for conflicts! As the wolves are becoming established in their new environment, we can expect some ups and downs - including depredation incidents like those discussed below.
Four Confirmed Depredation Incidents
Photo Credit: Picryl
What happened? There have been four confirmed depredations (instances of wolves killing cattle) in Colorado since the release of ten wolves in December 2023. All incidents have occurred this month and have involved six total cattle. These incidents have been confirmed by CPW based on examination of the deceased animals, investigation of the surrounding areas, and corroboration with GPS data.
The big picture: For ranchers, these incidents may seem to confirm their worst fears about wolf reintroduction - that their cattle and livelihoods would be affected. It is worth noting that (at the time of posting this blog) no claims have been submitted to CPW; as those claims are submitted, ranchers should be compensated for their cattle, which should offset the financial difficulties of depredation. However, there remain concerns about CPW’s plan for chronic depredation - in other words, what can be done about wolves that routinely feed off cattle? These questions will need to be answered for this reintroduction to be successful in the long term.
However, CPW spokesperson Travis Duncan said that, while CPW is working on a definition of chronic depredation and discussing possible responses, it will likely June or July before it is heard by the commission. While it takes time for agencies to come to a decision on complex matters such as this (and two months is a relatively short time for a state agency to pull something like this together), if depredation continues at this rate - or if ranchers continue to feel that their voices have not been heard - an answer will be needed far sooner than June or July.
Continued Opposition from Ranchers
Photo Credit: US Department of Agriculture, Flickr. Fladry (flagging as a wolf deterrent) installation.
What happened: Ranchers from Grand County, Jackson County, and Larimer County have sent Governor Jared Polis and CPW six letters this month, asking agencies to kill the alleged four wolves that have been responsible for the depredation incidents discussed above. Ranchers say they have implemented all the nonlethal deterrents recommended by CPW and Colorado Department of Agriculture, but these have not been effective. At the time of posting this blog, the only response has been from CPW Director Jeff Davis, who said that lethal control will not be used on a wolf blamed for these incidents because it is likely the mate to a denning wolf (discussed further below). It is unclear exactly how many, or which individuals, of the recently-released wolves have been involved in depredation incidents.
The big picture: CPW is highly unlikely to use lethal force on any wolf without significant cause. Since it has only been four months since wolves were reintroduced, we haven’t yet become comfortable coexisting with wolves; there is still likely a lot of education and outreach to be done, and CPW will need to collaborate with ranchers to ensure they are set up for success as we learn to coexist with wolves again. It is unlikely that wolf reintroduction will ultimately be successful - at least on a social scale - without support from ranchers.
One Deceased Wolf
Photo Credit: Animalia
What happened? One wolf was found deceased in Larimer County, CO. Initial reports suggest no suspicion of human involvement, but as gray wolves are a federally endangered species, the wolf has been sent for a necropsy. More details are expected to be released as the necropsy is completed.
The big picture: One out of ten wolves dying after four months is not insignificant. Human involvement seemed, to me, the natural explanation for the death of a wolf - all wolves were determined to be healthy before their release in December, and there have been high tensions with wolves in Larimer County, where the deceased wolf was discovered. I wonder if it is possible that the wolf got into some kind of predator deterrent, whether intended for wolves or not.
But, since we know the wolves were healthy when released and the US Fish and Wildlife Service has stated that they do not suspect human involvement in this death, the only possibility remaining is that the wolf encountered something in its environment that caused injury or illness.
Illness seems unlikely - there are a few diseases that wolves may be susceptible to, but wolves released as part of restoration programs are “typically vaccinated against common canid diseases and treated with antiparasitic drugs… such was the case for wolves restored to Yellowstone National Park” (CSU Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence). Furthermore, chronic wasting disease does not affect predators who eat infected ungulates.
Photo Credit: Yellowstone National Park, Flickr
Lack of food doesn’t seem likely either - one of the reasons Colorado moved forward with wolf reintroduction was due to the huge populations of elk and deer in the state. But it is possible that the wolf could have become injured by a large ungulate, such as a moose, while hunting - particularly if it was hunting alone.
Ultimately, there is no cause for concern if the necropsy returns results suggesting an accident or injury during hunting, but other causes of death may have further implications for the other wolves. I will update this post once we learn more.
One Denning Wolf
Photo Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, Flickr. Gray wolf pups emerging from den.
What happened? Data from the GPS collar of one female wolf suggests she may be denning - and therefore expecting a litter.
The big picture: To me, the fact that one wolf may already be expecting puppies means that they have settled well into their new homes and are forming connections with the other wolves and their surroundings. The birth of puppies could form the first confirmed pack within the newly-released wolves, which would be an exciting social and ecological development.
