Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed that it lethally removed a male yearling wolf from the One Ear Pack following a series of confirmed livestock depredations in northern Colorado.
According to a CPW news release, the uncollared wolf was removed on August 4th in Grand County after the agency determined that chronic depredation had occurred. The management action followed four confirmed attacks involving four calves. The incidents were documented between late June and early August despite ranchers using multiple non lethal conflict reduction measures.
CPW said the first confirmed depredation occurred on June 29 thin Jackson County. Three additional incidents were confirmed on July 26th, July 31st, and August 1st in Grand County.
State Cites Chronic Depredation
CPW Director Laura Clellan said the decision to remove a wolf is made only after careful review and consideration of multiple factors.
“Unfortunately after a thorough review, the determination of chronic depredation was made in this case. Our staff will continue to work diligently with willing producers to deploy all reasonable non-lethal tools and methods in order to minimize the need for removals.” – CPW Director Laura Clellan.
The agency emphasized that lethal removal is considered a management tool of last resort after other approaches have been attempted.
Ranchers Used Multiple Non Lethal Measures
According to CPW, the affected livestock producers pursued several conflict minimization strategies before the removal was authorized.
Those efforts included site assessments to identify practical deterrents, the use of range riders, scare devices, increased human presence around livestock, and applications for permits allowing injurious non lethal hazing. Despite those measures, additional confirmed calf losses continued, leading wildlife managers to conclude that further action was necessary.
Wolf Recovery Effort Continues
Clellan said CPW remains committed to restoring and maintaining a viable self sustaining wolf population in Colorado while also reducing conflicts with livestock producers. She said non lethal approaches will continue to be the agency’s preferred strategy whenever possible.
CPW also said the decision to remove the wolf was made in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and followed all applicable legal requirements, including the federal 10(j) rule governing management of Colorado’s reintroduced wolves.
The agency said a final report detailing the lethal removal operation will be published on the CPW website once the review is complete.