There are mixed reactions to the presence of a wolf pup that was just born in Colorado, as well as to the presence of wolves in general.
Last week, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department (CPW) confirmed the birth of a new wolf pup to a breeding pair of wolves in Grand County, Colorado.
The agency has not disclosed the exact location of the den where the wolves and their new pups are residing. It is uncertain whether there is only one pup or an entire litter of new pups. No further details have been provided by the agency regarding this matter.
According to Kristin Combs, a wildlife advocate from Wyoming, this is great news.
However, she pointed out that the addition of more wolves will undoubtedly heighten the complexities surrounding the reintroduction of wolves to Colorado. It’s simply a matter of time before additional wolves begin to migrate across the state border from Wyoming to Colorado.
On Friday, Kristin Combs, the executive director of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates (WWA), shared her mixed emotions about the reintroduction of Colorado wolves to the area. She stated that there have already been conflicts with these wolves.
According to John Michael Williams, a resident of Colorado, the news about the wolf pup has caused mixed reactions among people, with some feeling happy and celebrating, while others expressing anger or disappointment.
The Colorado Wolf Tracker Facebook group, run by Williams, has gained immense popularity as a hub for news and varying viewpoints regarding wolves in the Centennial State.
According to Cowboy State Daily, even though the birth of wolf offspring was anticipated, the majority of the Colorado ranchers the speaker communicates with are dissatisfied with the news.
It’s been reported that up to 25 cattle were potentially killed by wolves in Colorado last week. Among the casualties were 11 cattle from the Gittleson Ranch located in North Park, which is only a few miles away from the Wyoming border. It’s believed that wolves were responsible for the attacks.
Biology And Culture
This Article Includes
Combs stated that the WWA recognizes the significance of wolves in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Therefore, from a wildlife biology perspective, it is encouraging to learn that the Colorado wolves have established themselves and begun to reproduce.
She said that from a social or cultural perspective, it’s a combination of different things.
According to Combs, the approval of Colorado’s wolf reintroduction was divided into two almost equal parts, with a split of about 50/50. This indicates that the potential birth of a new litter of wolf pups is just as likely to receive negative reactions as it is to receive positive ones.
Colorado’s Proposition 114 authorized the reintroduction of wolves, which narrowly passed with a margin of 50.91% to 49.09% on November 3, 2020.
According to her, changing the identity of certain individuals who strongly believe that wolves are a threat to their livelihood could be a long and challenging process. “I don’t like wolves, and they’re going to hurt my livelihood,” is a powerful identity that may take generations to transform, she added.
Combs disagrees with the notion that Colorado’s wolf population cannot thrive due to overcrowding.
She said that the western part of the state has plenty of excellent wolf habitat.
According to Combs, chronic wasting disease has been identified in Colorado’s extensive elk population. To combat the spread of the disease among the estimated 280,000 elk in the state, wolves could potentially play a crucial role by eliminating infected animals.
It Took Years To Bring Wolves Back
In 2019, a female wolf from Wyoming appeared on the Gittleson Ranch in Colorado, followed by a male the next year. This led to the formation of the North Park pack, indicating that wolves were already present in Colorado before the reintroduction program began.
In 2021, the two produced a litter of pups. However, by 2023, the pack had ceased to exist, possibly due to some members crossing back into Wyoming and being hunted down.
It took over three years for reintroduced wolves to finally set foot on the ground in Colorado after the passing of Proposition 114 in 2020.
Colorado’s reintroduction program was met with opposition from Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, who all refused to supply any wolves.
In December 2023, Oregon acquiesced to providing 10 wolves for relocation to Colorado. The wolves were captured in Oregon, then safely transported to an undisclosed location in Grand County where they were released.
Nobody Knows How Many Pups
CPW reported that a couple of wolves from Oregon mated and produced offspring.
It has been confirmed that there is at least one wolf pup, but there is a high probability that more have been born.
CPW stated that currently, there are no photos or videos available of the wolf pup.
The agency reported that while only one pup has been confirmed by biologists at the moment, it is likely that there may be more. Wolf litters typically consist of four to six pups, so it’s possible that additional pups are present. The CPW staff will continue to keep an eye on the wolves to identify the total number of pups in the litter.
‘Be Safe, Dear Wolf Pup!’
According to Williams, Colorado’s first gentleman, Marlon Reis, shared a statement on Facebook that perfectly captures the excitement and joy surrounding the arrival of the new puppy (or puppies).
Reis posted a heartfelt message for the Wolf Pup, expressing wishes for good health and safety, as well as peace and quiet for the pup’s family. The post also conveyed gratitude for the pup’s presence and the support of many caring humans.
Williams asserted that those who do not support and reject them are not content.
During this time of the year, Grand County welcomes a vast number of outdoor recreation enthusiasts, including both locals and visitors, as per his statement. The area bustles with campers and individuals seeking adventure in the great outdoors.
“He wishes for the crowds and the wolves to steer clear of each other,” is his hope.
He expressed concern about the potential danger of an off-leash dog approaching the wolf den, stating that it could result in a negative outcome. He added that he hopes this is not how the wolf den is discovered.