Wolverines To Be Reintroduced Into Colorado Since Being Wiped Out From The State In The Early 1900s

Exciting news for wildlife conservation in Colorado as Governor Jared Polis will be signing into law a bill to reintroduce wolverines to the state, allocating $750,000 from the Species Conservation Trust Fund for this vital task.

Wolverines, which are native to Colorado, were sadly wiped out in the early 1900s due to trapping and poisoning. This initiative will not only help restore the wolverine population throughout the state, but also contribute to the preservation of Colorado’s natural ecosystem.

“This law is a first step towards restoring native wolverines to Colorado’s high mountain habitat, righting a century-old wrong,” said Alli Henderson, Southern Rockies director at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the many groups that supported the legislative effort. “Thanks to the governor and legislators for their leadership and kudos to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for working to make this reintroduction possible. Coloradans are excited to see these furry, fierce creatures return to their native range on our snowy peaks.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife began assessing the viability of reintroducing wolverines in the 1990s. Since then, Colorado’s pristine high alpine habitat has only become more important for the species as climate change decreases snowpack across the animal’s current and lower elevation ranges in North America.

Wolverines were federally listed as threatened in November under the Endangered Species Act after more than a decade of litigation and advocacy by the Center and its allies.

“We only have about 325 wolverines left in the lower 48 states, so this bill is a vital lifeline for these tenacious animals,” said Henderson. “We’re hopeful that wolverines will soon be thriving in their native high alpine habitat. With climate change pressures pushing them further to the brink, this reintroduction can’t come soon enough.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has announced plans to reintroduce 30 female and 15 male wolverines over a three-year period, making Colorado the first state in the U.S. to reintroduce this iconic species. This effort is a crucial step towards preserving the wolverine population and ensuring their long-term survival in the wild.

This reintroduction program demonstrates Colorado’s commitment to conservation and the protection of our natural ecosystems. The wolverine, known for its strength and tenacity, plays a vital role in maintaining balance within our ecosystems. By bringing them back to their native habitats, Colorado is not only restoring their populations, but also enriching the state’s biodiversity.