
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has officially wrapped up its second year of gray wolf relocation efforts, a critical step in furthering the state's Colorado Gray Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. In a recently completed operation, CPW managed to successfully transport fifteen gray wolves from British Columbia to Colorado's open arms, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Meanwhile, five members from the original Copper Creek Pack, previously held in captivity due to livestock depredation concerns, were also released back into the wild.
It wasn't all smooth sailing. CPW faced the difficult task of carefully balancing the well-being of its staff and the gray wolves, amidst a backdrop of heightened scrutiny and a less-than-welcoming reception from some quarters. Staff safety was jeopardized by intrusive surveillance of CPW offices, and a spate of threats on social media and over the phone didn't make things any easier. Add to that, two out of the ten wolves released last year were illegally shot, making it all too clear why CPW was reticent to broadcast the release details in real-time.
The whole operation, a six-day mission spanning two countries, was the result of meticulous planning and extensive collaboration. From British Columbia, where the wolves were originally captured, to their new habitats in the Eagle and Pitkin counties of Colorado, every step was coordinated with precision. The translocated wolves, seven males and eight females, were selected from areas where predator reduction is aimed at supporting caribou recovery, CPW said. Notably, these wolves had no history of run-ins with livestock, quelling potential concerns of similar issues once they were set free in Colorado's ranching territories.
The captured wolves were subjected to rigorous health checks and received all necessary vaccines, think rabies, canine distemper virus, and the whole cocktail. And while one wolf sadly passed away post-capture, this was attributed to age and underlying conditions, as per onsite veterinary staff. During transport, the wolves were accompanied by CPW personnel, dedicated to monitoring their well-being every step of the way. And let's not forget the helping hand provided by LightHawk, the conservation-oriented group whose volunteer pilots donated significant aircraft time to ferry the furry passengers to their new home.
CPW ensured the operation adhered to ethical standards, prioritizing the animals' welfare at every stage. The necessary permits were secured and health inspections were conducted without a hitch. Finally, the wolves were released, five on each on three different occasions, spanning just a few days of each other. Hillary Ward, Regional Director of Resource Management with the B.C. Ministry of Water, described the project as "a great example of collaboration," according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.