4/19/2024 update:
Media reports on April 18th indicate wolves attacked four more cattle in Grand County, bringing the month’s overall depredation total to six.
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Below is an April 8th news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
On the morning of April 7, Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a report of a possible depredation incident in Jackson County. A CPW wildlife officer responded and conducted a field investigation.
The field investigation found injuries on a dead calf consistent with wolf depredation, including a partially consumed hindquarter. Partial wolf tracks were also found in the same area. CPW is aware of four wolves in the area and these included wolves that were released in December 2023 and a wolf or wolves with known territory in North Park.
Additionally, CPW and CDA have been working together through a Memorandum of Understanding and have been building the capacity to anticipate and prepare for predator livestock incidents and are working towards deploying range riders in coming weeks and other tools to help ranchers with non-lethal deterrence: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=4081.
CPW will not be providing any further specific location or specific animal information related to this incident. The CORA exception covering species locations (24-72-204(2)(a)(X)) allows CPW to withhold information that “reveals the specific location or could be used to determine the specific location of . . . an individual animal or group of animals.” Identifying the wolf or wolves potentially involved could allow someone to determine the specific location of those animals.
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Below is an April 3rd news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
On the morning of April 2, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) received a report of a possible depredation incident after a landowner in Grand County contacted officers to report a dead calf. CPW wildlife officers quickly responded, conducted a field investigation and confirmed a wolf-livestock depredation had occurred.
“The results of this investigation indicated wounds consistent with wolf depredation,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jeromy Huntington. “The field investigation found multiple tooth rake marks on the calf’s hindquarters and neck, and hemorrhaging under the hide, consistent with wolf depredation. Wolf tracks were also found nearby.”
The livestock producer will be eligible for fair market value compensation if a claim is submitted. CPW provides reimbursement for damages caused by gray wolves to livestock defined in C.R.S. 33-2-105.8 and animals used for guard/herding purposes and may provide conflict minimization materials under its Gray Wolf Compensation and Conflict Minimization Program.
Per Colorado Revised Statutes 24-72-204(3)(a)(XXI), CPW may not release private landowner information. The landowner has requested not to be contacted.
CPW staff will continue contacting producers in the area and encouraging the use of appropriate non-lethal deterrents available through the agency.
(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)