The controversial reintroduction of wolves into Colorado has led to major wolf population growth, and it is now on track to potentially double in the next year.
Experts say if Colorado’s four packs each produce four pups this spring, it will add 20 or more wolves to the state’s current collared population of 22.
The voter-approved plan calls for a minimum self-sustaining population of 150 to 200 wolves. The state has already had to cull one wolf due to chronic depredation concerns and is currently in the process of trying to cull another.
Wolf releases are planned for the next three to five years.
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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council published a joint press release regarding the advancement of legislation to delist the Mexican Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species Act.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are praising the passage of a bill to delist gray wolves as an endangered species by the U.S. House last week.
The Pet and Livestock Protection Act now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Tom Peterson with the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association says taxpayers are “unfortunate casualties” of this overlay now that the Mexican wolf population is stable under ESA guidelines.
“Sometimes populations correct on their own. That seems to be what is happening here.”
