An investigation into the death of female gray wolf 2514 in Rocky Mountain National Park revealed that the April 20th mortality was due to injuries from an apparent mountain lion attack.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the cause of death for both gray wolves 2514 and 2512. The mortality of gray wolf 2512 which occurred in northwest Colorado on May 15th was apparently caused by secondary trauma from a legal foothold trap designed for coyote control.
Colorado law usually bans the use of foothold traps but an exception exists to allow owners of property used for commercial livestock production or their designated agents to use the traps for a 30-day period if criteria is met. The trapper notified CPW upon discovering the wolf and the animal was released. The wildlife agency receiving a mortality signal the next day.
CPW has implemented a statewide suspension on the issuing of 30-day permits that allow the use of foothold/leghold traps, instant-kill body-gripping design traps, or snares. Taking gray wolves is prohibited under federal and state law unless specifically authorized under the USFWS 10(j) rule and CPW regulations.
The death of male 2507 that occurred on May 31st is still active. No further information has been released. Colorado wolf survival is still within the normal margins for a wolf population in the Rocky Mountains. Gray wolves generally live for 3-4 years in the Rocky Mountains.
