Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed a fourth gray wolf depredation in Grand County on Sunday, according to the confirmed information about the depredation of gray wolves.
The incident involved one calf and no claim has been filed.
CPW defines gray wolf depredation as physical trauma that results in injury or death to a domestic animal. Sunday's incident marks the fourth confirmed depredation by gray wolves in Grand County in April and the sixth separate depredation incident since the release of 10 gray wolves in Colorado in December 2023.
Colorado's first confirmed post-release depredation of wolves occurred on April 2 in Grand County. The second attack occurred five days later, 60 miles north of Jackson County. Prior to Sunday's incident, the last attack occurred on April 18 in Grand County.
The Middle Park Stockgrowers Board asked CPW officials to fatally remove two wolves suspected in Tuesday's livestock attacks. However, officials stated that a wolf suspected of recent depredations is likely 'pine' and in the process of breeding. Removing the male wolf “would be irresponsible management and could potentially cause the den to fail, potentially resulting in the death of the suspected pups,” CPW Director Jeff Davis said in a letter to the board on Tuesday.
Amid reports of livestock depredations, one of 10 gray wolves reintroduced to Colorado was found dead in Larimer County on April 18. Initial data indicate the wolf likely died of natural causes, officials said Tuesday.
According to Davis, the approach to lethal removals will likely become more liberal as Colorado's wolf population grows.
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