Colorado Parks and Wildlife re-released a wolf into Grand County this week after it had traveled into New Mexico, in accordance with a information launch.
The New Mexico Division of Sport and Fish captured grey wolf 2403 and returned the animal to Colorado.
Colorado wildlife officers determined to launch the wolf in Grand County yesterday due to the proximity to “an unpaired feminine grey wolf,” close by prey populations and distance from livestock, in accordance with the discharge.
“Grey wolf 2403 has been returned to Colorado and launched in a location the place it might probably greatest contribute to CPW’s efforts to ascertain a self-sustaining wolf inhabitants whereas concurrently trying to reduce potential wolf-related livestock conflicts,” mentioned performing director of CPW Laura Clellan, in accordance with the discharge.
The wolf was as soon as a member of the Copper Creek pack however departed from it this fall.
A memorandum of understanding between Colorado and Arizona, New Mexico and Utah requires that any grey wolves that go away Colorado and enter these states be returned. That was created partly to keep up the integrity of a Mexican wolf restoration program.
“We acknowledged through the planning course of that we would want to have consideration and plans to guard the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf restoration program, whereas additionally establishing a grey wolf inhabitants in Colorado,” mentioned CPW’s Wolf Conservation Program Supervisor Eric Odell, in accordance with the discharge.