Wildlife experts from Colorado are in BC to capture and relocate 15 gray wolves this winter as part of the state’s ongoing wolf restoration program. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has signed an agreement with BC to relocate 15 wolves yearly over the next five years. The operation is expected to last about two weeks.
The gray wolf population in BC is estimated to range between 5,300 and 11,600 animals. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say the relocation will increase the likelihood of pairing, breeding, and pack formation in Colorado.
The captured wolves will undergo health assessments and treatment for diseases or infections. Wolves with significant injuries, such as broken teeth, missing limbs, or severe infections, will not be relocated. Wolves with ‘repeated livestock depredation’ histories will also be excluded.
“This new source population of gray wolves will provide additional genetic diversity to Colorado’s wolf population,” said Eric Odell, CPW Wolf Conservation Program Manager. “We are excited to be working with B.C. to bring together our combined experience and expertise while ensuring the safety of animals and staff.”
To monitor their behaviour, the captured wolves will have tracking collars. They will be taken in crates via aircraft and released at specific sites as quickly as possible to minimize stress.
The initiative is part of Colorado’s ongoing effort to comply with a voter-approved measure that required the state to reintroduce gray wolves by the end of 2023. The reintroduction of wolves aims to create a viable, self-sustaining wolf population in Colorado while balancing the interactions between wolves, livestock, and people, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a press release.
