Calf killed by gray wolf on Grand County landowner's property, Colorado Parks & Wildlife confirms

After an investigation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed on Wednesday a gray wolf attacked and killed a calf on the property of a Grand County landowner recently. In an update, CPW confirmed this gray wolf was among the first 10 released into the wild in 2023. 

"The results of this investigation indicated wounds consistent with wolf depredation," said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jeromy Huntington in a CPW press release. "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."  

According to the press release, a report was received on the morning of April 2 for the possible depredation incident on the owner's property, where a calf was found dead. Officers responded and were able to make the determinations Huntington shared in his press release statement. 

There are 12 gray wolves in Colorado since the start of 2024 now being tracked with GPS collars since they were first reintroduced back in December 2023. It was not confirmed in the press release which one of these collared gray wolves was the culprit -- the species roaming the state as part of CPW's Wolf Management and Restoration Plan. 

The gray wolf reintroduction plan has been controversial from day one when Colorado voters approved the ballot measure in 2020. The reintroduction has been lauded by conservationists but criticized by ranchers and people in rural communities, who say the wolves pose a risk to livestock, wildlife and pets. All of the gray wolves in Colorado were originally captured in Oregon and then brought back to the state.    

In a statement, the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association says, "While we cannot change what has happened regarding the most recent reintroduction of 10 wolves in December 2023 or the calf depredation this week, we hope these recent events will be a lesson in the consequences of hasty, unscientific, emotional decisions."

Tim Ritschard, president of the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association, say depredation of livestock by coyotes, bears, and mountain lions is something that ranchers in Colorado have long dealt with. He says the introduction of wolves adds unnecessary grief.

"I'm kind of surprised this didn't happen before, to be honest," Ritschard said. He hopes this event will encourage the state to define chronic depredation.

Under CPW's management plan, a rancher can kill a wolf if it's chronically depredating livestock. However, the plan says there is not a specific definition of a "chronically depredating" pack or wolf. CPW program managers will make the determination as to whether a situation is characterized as chronic depredation on a case-by-case basis.

Ritschard says the evaluation process is complicated.

"A lot of the time, at night is when wolves are doing this, from 12 to four. It's really hard to see them. There is technology out there for that. And as of right now, that is illegal," Ritschard explained. "Hopefully by June or July, they will have a definition of chronic depredation."

Ritschard is also calling for better clarification on compensation of losses from wolves. He pointed out the calf could have been in the owner's herd for many years to come, and now they don't have it.

CPW confirmed the livestock owner in Grand County will be eligible for compensation at fair market value following a claim submission, per state law. CPW may also provide conflict minimization materials under its Gray Wolf Compensation and Conflict Minimization Program. The owner of the calf was not named in the press release, as they did not want to be identified or contacted in connection to this wolf attack. 

CPW says its will continue to contact other producers/landowners in the area. It will work with them to manage any predators in the area of their properties with the use of non-lethal deterrents available through the agency.   

As part of the management and restoration plan, up to 50 gray wolves could ultimately be roaming Colorado within the next five years.