Since April of this year, CPW has lethally removed, or killed, five wolves under management directives for chronic depredation of livestock. The agency defines “chronic depredation” as three or more livestock or livestock guard animal deaths caused by the same wolf or wolves within 30 days with clear and convincing evidence.
Due to public outcry, concerns about grey wolf population growth and the success of the state’s 3-year-old wolf reintroduction program, CPW said Wednesday that it is suspending its chronic depredation directive until March 31, 2027, the end of the current biological year. In other words, the agency is temporarily suspending lethal wolf removals.
Colorado is now home to four reproducing wolf packs, a fifth pack of four siblings that travel together, and several lone wolves that do not live in packs. CPW has detected 45 gray wolves in the state as of September 24, including a possible 20 pups born in Colorado this year.
CPW is also investigating hair loss in adults in two packs which could be associated with a skin parasite. No final diagnosis has been confirmed.
The agency states that it will work with stakeholders to revise the chronic depredation directives.
Meanwhile, CPW wants to continue working with stakeholders on non-lethal wolf management methods, applications for In-the-Act permits and two wolf-related petitions in front of the Parks and Wildlife Commission. The agency also plans to extend the range-riding season this year and explore options for further wolf translocations.
