15 Gray Wolves Reintroduced to Colorado From Canada

Colorado wildlife officials have released 15 Canadian gray wolves into the state’s central mountains over the past week.

The historic effort was completed on Saturday, and is the second reintroduction season for the native predator. The capture and release work supports the Colorado Gray Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

“This binational effort was conducted by a professional team of experts from two jurisdictions,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Director Jeff Davis in a press release from CPW. “From the veterinarians and biologists to the helicopter pilots and wildlife officers, this team worked together to ensure a safe and successful outcome for this year’s capture and release efforts that also prioritized the health and safety of staff and animals.”

Fifteen wolves were brought to Colorado from British Columbia’s central interior. The agency also released five members of the original Copper Creek Pack — a mother and four pups — in a separate operation. All of the wolves were released in Pitkin and Eagle counties, as part of CPW’s efforts to create a self-sustaining and permanent gray wolf population in the state.

There are no more planned releases for the 2024 to 2025 season. It is the second of between three and five release seasons for the wolves.

Two out of 10 wolves who were reintroduced in 2023 were illegally shot. Illegal killing of wolves can result in jail time, fines of up to $100,000 and the loss of hunting privileges.

“CPW has a responsibility to balance the safety of staff and the animals with the level and timing of information provided during this complex wildlife operation. Unfortunately, staff safety was threatened as CPW offices were watched and threatening social media posts and phone calls were received,” the press release said. “Because of the safety risk and security needs of our staff and the animals, CPW did not share wolf release details while the operation was underway.”

The most recent reintroduction effort was conducted over six days of capture in BC and release in Colorado. A total of eight females and seven males were translocated. The areas where the wolves were captured are those where predator reduction is happening to support caribou recovery.

The BC government entered into consultations with three First Nations during the project’s planning and operational phases in wolf capture areas.

The export of wolves is allowed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

“It has been an honour to work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to support their conservation priority. It is a great example of collaboration and the connections we have in the large landscapes of North America,” said Hillary Ward, the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship’s regional director of resource management, in the press release.

The area where the gray wolves were captured did not overlap with places where livestock were present. Sadly, one of the wolves passed away after they were captured.

“As restoration efforts continue, CPW is committed to working with livestock owners, communities, state agencies and all partners to reduce the likelihood of wolf-livestock conflict. Our goal is to keep ranchers ranching, while at the same time restoring a healthy, sustainable population of gray wolves to Colorado as mandated,” Davis said in the press release.

Five wolves each were released in Colorado on January 12, 14 and 16. January 12 is coincidentally the 30th anniversary of the reintroduction of Canadian wolves to Yellowstone National Park.

BC’s gray wolf population is estimated to be from 5,300 to 11,600, widely distributed and not considered a conservation concern at this time.

The wolves’ reintroduction was voter mandated and brings the total number of known wild wolves in Colorado to 29.

“Colorado’s arms are open to these pioneering and resilient wolves. We are beside them, rooting for their success and well-being,” said Courtney Vail, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project board chair, in a statement, as reported by MediaNews Group. “While others, in decades past, paved the way with successful wolf reintroductions in surrounding states, Colorado’s endeavor is historic because it is state-led and reflects the will of our citizens.”