Tracking data from a collared gray wolf shows the animal moved in a watershed south of Interstate 70, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Sunday morning.
The agency typically updates its Collared Gray Wolf Activity monthly, but provided an update just nine days after the last map was released because it was the first time since wolves captured in Oregon were released in Grand and Summit counties in December that GPS data points have been logged south of the interstate.
In a news release, CPW said the movement was expected and described gray wolves as “habitat generalists, meaning they can thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and habitats.”
“Translocated wolves are currently exploring the Colorado landscape and as wolf population numbers grow, some wolves will migrate to establish new territories,” CPW said.
The activity maps released to the public show the watersheds where the animals have moved in the month before. The map released Sunday for the first time showed wolf movement across eastern Eagle County and well into Lake County, near Leadville.
Ten wolves from Oregon were released in two groups, all wearing GPS collars. Three of those animals have died. One was found dead in Larimer County in April, likely the result of a mountain lion attack.
The second died in September after it, its mate and four of their five pups, were captured near Kremmling because the adults were preying on livestock on a single ranch. The surviving members of the Copper Creek pack – named after the litter was confirmed in June – were moved to a wildlife sanctuary and may be rereleased in the future. Wildlife officials spent 19 days trying to capture the fifth pup, but decided it was safer for the 6-month-old wolf to remain in the wild.
A third collar, on a male in Grand County, transmitted a mortality signal in September.
Wolves were reintroduced west of the Continental Divide, as directed by voters who narrowly approved Proposition 114 in 2020. The ballot measure passed mainly because of support from urban voters. Two other wolves from Wyoming had already established territory in Jackson County. Both of those animals are also outfitted with GPS collars.
The next round of introduction is expected to begin in December, when 15 wolves from British Columbia will be captured and released in Colorado. This process will continue for three to five years, by which time biologists believe a sustainable population of wolves, as defined by the state’s wolf management plan, will be established.
