Colorado’s Reintroduced Copper Creek Wolf Pack Has Been Captured; The Father Wolf Has Sadly Died

UPDATE: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced that the entire Copper Creek Wolf Pack, including four pups, has been captured. The father, a male wolf tagged as 2309-OR, was captured separately on Friday, August 30th, but tragically died on Tuesday, September 3rd.

The agency confirmed that the male wolf 2309-OR was severely underweight, missing nearly 30% of his body mass, but did not provide details of the cause of his injuries prior to capture. This pack represents the first successful breeding group in Colorado’s wolf reintroduction efforts.

The Copper Creek Pack was linked to several livestock losses, but coexistence measures were not implemented. According to CPW documents, some ranches either delayed or outright refused to implement additional nonlethal strategies that could have significantly reduced or even prevented livestock losses. The agency also noted that the wolves may have been drawn to the property due to the rancher’s refusal to bury carcasses, which were left exposed in an open pit.

“We are devastated by the news of the dead father wolf, and must be sure that in the future, Colorado’s wolves are not set up for conflict and therefore removal,” said Delaney Rudy, Colorado Director of Western Watersheds Project. “Tools for nonlethal coexistence have been provided cost-free to ranchers along the way, and wolves should not have to pay the price for producers’ refusal to implement them.”

August 29th: In a decision that has disheartened conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has announced the imminent capture and relocation of the Copper Creek wolf pack, which is the first breeding pair of gray wolves reintroduced into Colorado in 2023, along with their new pups. This regrettable action highlights the increasing challenges facing our wildlife.

The decision to relocate the Copper Creek pack raises significant concerns about prioritizing the demands of uncooperative ranchers over the principles embodied in Colorado’s wolf reintroduction law. This legislation was designed to restore wolf populations based on the best available science, while ensuring that ranchers receive the necessary financial and logistical support to coexist with these majestic animals. However, recent CPW documents reveal that this troubling course of action stems from ranchers’ refusal to accept the guidance and assistance offered to them.

The Copper Creek pack had begun to establish themselves within Grand County and its surrounding areas, which were chosen for their suitable wolf habitat and abundant prey. Notably, many ranchers in the region have successfully coexisted with reintroduced wolves without issue. This relocation threatens not only the future of the Copper Creek pack but also undermines the efforts of those dedicated to restoring Colorado’s ecological balance.

Recent disclosures from CPW documents reveal troubling practices among local ranchers regarding wildlife management. It appears that while some ranchers attempted nonlethal measures to deter wolves, they either delayed or outright refused to implement additional nonlethal strategies that could have significantly reduced or even prevented livestock losses. Furthermore, the neglect to promptly bury carcasses of dead livestock allowed wolves to be attracted to their operations, exacerbating the issue.

“This decision not only puts the well-being of Colorado wolves at risk, but also sets a dangerous precedent for future wildlife management decisions,” said Leslie Williams and Samantha Attwood, founding members of The #RelistWolves Campaign. “The science clearly shows that relocation is little more than a short-term band-aid. Numerous nonlethal preventative measures are available and should have been exhausted before making this potentially tragic decision.”

While CPW’s Wolf Restoration and Management Plan provides the agency with considerable flexibility in managing wolves to resolve conflicts, there remains a significant concern regarding the survival of wolves that are relocated, especially among pups younger than six months old. The challenges facing these young wolves are heightened by their vulnerability in unfamiliar environments, which may impact their ability to find food, establish territory, and integrate into existing packs.

Consequently, careful consideration must be given to the relocation methods used and the conditions of the areas where these wolves are moved, to enhance their chances of survival and successful adaptation.

“The Copper Creek wolf pack should be allowed to live and thrive in the wild in Colorado, to which they were reintroduced last year. Sadly, the ‘needs’ of ranchers are being prioritized, which will ultimately lead to the demise of our precious wildlife. We must consider the damage caused to our land and wild spaces by grazing cattle and recognize that this is not the path to a healthy future,” said Katie Cleary, President and Founder of Peace 4 Animals and World Animal News.

“We must prioritize the protection of our wildlife and wild spaces if our planet is going to survive all the damage we have done,” continued Cleary. “The protection of wolves is vital to a healthy and thriving ecosystem, which we all need to survive.”