Defenders Denounces CPW’s Decision to Relocate Colorado’s First Wolf Pack

Defenders of Wildlife today strongly denounced Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s tragic decision to relocate the Copper Creek wolf pack, the first breeding pair and litter of the 2023 gray wolf reintroduction. This regrettable decision appears to put the demands of intransigent and uncooperative ranching associations above the intent of Colorado’s reintroduction law, which requires restoration of wolves based on the best available science, while providing financial and logistical support to producers. Recently disclosed CPW documents suggest this tragic decision is the result of producers’ refusal to accept the help and advice they were offered.

“This decision is being driven by politics, is not rooted in science-based management and stands to significantly delay the progress of the reintroduction program,” said Mike Senatore, Defenders of Wildlife Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs. “All parties involved in the events that led to this deeply flawed decision should be held accountable for failure to effectively utilize proven coexistence tools. CPW and area livestock producers need to demonstrate clear ownership for developing and executing plans to avoid this type of scenario from happening in the future.”  

Although CPW’s Wolf Restoration and Management Plan gives the agency substantial flexibility in managing wolves to resolve conflicts, there is a risk that relocated wolves will not survive, particularly for the pups that are less than six months old. Further, the Technical Working Group of biologists and wolf experts that developed recommendations for the management plan suggested that relocation does not have technical merit, may destabilize packs, runs the risk of relocating conflict to another area, and may not address the underlying cause of conflict.  

The Copper Creek Pack settled within the general area they were initially reintroduced. Grand County and surrounding areas were identified as a reintroduction location because of their large swaths of suitable wolf habitat and wild prey availability. Many livestock producers coexist peacefully with reintroduced wolves. Unfortunately, according to recently disclosed CPW documents, some area ranchers “tried some nonlethal measures before seeking lethal control, but...delayed using or refused to use other nonlethal techniques that could have prevented or minimized depredations.” Ranchers also refused to timely bury a pit of dead livestock that was attracting wolves to their operation.

“This risky, short-term solution is a major setback for human-wolf coexistence in Colorado; several more approaches to nonlethal measures were available and should have been exhausted before coming to this decision. This action raises serious questions about CPW’s commitment to a successful, science-based reintroduction,” Senatore concluded.    

###