Colorado officials are working to reintroduce grey wolves to the state by capturing up to 15 from British Columbia. The move aims to increase the chances of successful breeding and pack formation, adding genetic diversity to the Colorado wolf population.
Colorado officials are planning to capture up to 15 grey wolves from British Columbia's remote wilderness areas to help re-establish the predators' long-lost population in the Centennial State. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) states that bringing in wolves from B.C. will increase the likelihood of successful pairings, breeding, and pack formation, while also adding genetic diversity to the Colorado wolf population.
This initiative marks the continuation of Colorado's efforts to reintroduce wolves after voters approved a ballot measure to bring them back. In 2023, the first ten wolves were introduced from Oregon. CPW emphasizes that the addition of wolves from B.C. will bolster the chances of successful breeding and pack establishment within the state. The operation, commenced on Friday, involves CPW experts working in collaboration with B.C.'s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. Wolves were historically present in Colorado but were hunted to the point of local extinction in the 1940s. The captured wolves will be transported in crates to Colorado, collared for tracking, and released as soon as possible at designated sites in Garfield, Eagle, and/or Pitkin counties. While CPW is optimistic about the reintroduction, concerns have been raised by some regarding the impact on both B.C.'s wolf populations and Colorado's livestock. Chelsea Greer, director of the wolf conservation program at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, expresses worries about the potential strain on B.C.'s already vulnerable wolf populations. She questions whether relocating wolves to Colorado will ultimately improve their chances of survival. Tim Ritschard, representing the Middle Park Stock Growers Association, highlights the state's experience with livestock deaths following the initial wolf reintroduction, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to mitigate potential conflicts. CPW assures that measures are in place to minimize such conflicts, including a range-rider program and non-lethal tools. They also note that the B.C. wolves will originate from an area where livestock grazing does not occur, reducing the risk of pre-existing conflicts. The long-term success of the reintroduction hinges not only on the wolves' adaptation to their new environment but also on the acceptance and tolerance of the Colorado community towards these reintroduced predators
WOLVES COLORADO BRITISH COLUMBIA REINTRODUCTION CONSERVATION ECOLOGY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
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