Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed three wolf depredation events in Rio Blanco County. The incidents were committed by an uncollared wolf in late July and early August, meeting the CPW standard for Chronic Depredation, or three or more depredation events by the same wolf or wolves in the same thirty day period.
According to a notice released on August 5th, CPW has been coordinating with agricultural producers to provide 24/7 range rider coverage, supplementing existing non-lethal measures.
CPW staff have already authorized the lethal removal of a wolf in Pitkin County for Chronic Depredation, and under normal circumstances this wolf would also be marked for elimination- but the land allotments where the depredations occurred are under evacuation for the Elk Fire. CPW say they will continue to monitor the situation in Rio Blanco County and coordinate with local authorities to promote human and livestock safety.
This is a developing story that KDNK will continue to follow.
