Colorado wildlife officials have captured and are planning to relocate five members of the first wolf pack formed under the state's wolf reintroduction program. A sixth wolf, the pack's adult male, died in captivity due to injuries unrelated to its capture; that wolf was pegged as being responsible for a number of attacks on sheep and cattle and would not have been released had it lived. This pack, referred to as the Copper Creek pack, is part of a voter-driven initiative to restore wolves to the state, which had eliminated them decades ago through various means.
The state's decision to capture the Copper Creek pack following the attacks runs afoul of Colorado's wolf management plan, which states that relocation could cause problems elsewhere if wolves continue targeting livestock. The female wolf and four pups did not participate in the livestock attacks and were spared to protect the nascent wolf restoration initiative. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis emphasized the importance of giving the pups "a second chance in the wild."
The relocation decision has been controversial, dividing ranching groups and wildlife advocates. Ranchers, like Tim Ritschard of the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association, argued that relocation is just moving the problem. Wildlife advocates, including Michael Saul from Defenders of Wildlife, contend that other methods, like electric fencing, should have been prioritized to prevent livestock attacks. State officials will decide on a new release location for the pack once the pups are older and can hunt solo. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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