Wolf pups of the Copper Creek pack.
Wolf pups of the Copper Creek pack.

COLORADO – Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), with assistance from federal partners, has successfully captured all six wolves from the Copper Creek wolf pack. The decision to relocate the pack comes in an attempt to minimize losses to agriculture producers while ensuring the wolves stay healthy. One adult female (2312-OR), one adult male (2309-OR), and four pups form the pack were transported to a secure location for evaluation.

Living with Wolves in Colorado

The female wolf, 2312-OR, was captured in good health and body condition, but the male, 2309-OR, was suffering from several injuries to his right hind leg, unrelated to the capture. The wolf weighed 30% less than when it was released back in December, so CPW staff administered antibiotics. Unfortunately, four days after transporting the animal, 2309-OR was found deceased. CPW believes it’s unlikely that the animal would have survived long in the wild.

Adult female 2312-OR was captured on August 24, the first of six. The adult male, 2309-OR, was captured on August 30 and died on September 3. The pups, three males and one female, were captured between September 3 and September 5 and, following multiple days of continued operation, CPW was confident there were no additional pups.

“The plan also calls for flexibility, and it may not at times account for every unique situation the agency and our experts encounter. This spring, after a pair of wolves established a den in Middle Park, the male adult wolf was involved in multiple depredations. Removing the male at that time, while he was the sole source of food and the female was denning, would likely have been fatal to the pups and counter to the restoration mandate.” – CPW Director Jeff Davis

There is no evidence that any of the pups were involved in any livestock depredation incidents in Grand County. As such, the adult female and the pups will continue to be evaluated while plans to re-release will be advanced. The Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan does not allow CPW to relocate wolves with depredation histories into the wild. Local elected officials and landowners will be consulted before a release location is determined.

We are still in the early stages of the restoration plan. Our legal obligation to Colorado voters is to continue working towards a sustainable population. We also must continue our efforts to minimize losses to our producers and to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the wolves as we work towards a viable gray wolf population.

We will take the lessons we’ve learned here and apply them as we continue to build out a strong program alongside our federal and state partners, and both the wolf restoration advocacy and ranching communities. The more we’re able to listen to understand one another and increase cooperation, the better off we’ll all be in the long run. Our focus in this case now is on a healthy release of the remaining members of the Copper Creek pack.” – CPW Director Jeff Davis

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