Content
Colorado Parks and Wildlife ends search for wolf attacking livestock in Rio Blanco County – AspenTimes.com
Aug
NewsNews |
alongwell@postindependent.com
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is ending its search for an uncollared wolf attacking livestock in Rio Blanco County after an unsuccessful attempt at killing the animal, according to a news release sent by the agency on Tuesday.
The state wildlife agency partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to attempt to remove the wolf. While an operation to locate and kill the animal was delayed for nearly two weeks by the Elk Fire, Parks and Wildlife Deputy Director Reid Dewalt confirmed last week that the search had begun.
Staff from Parks and Wildlife and Wildlife Services were able to locate the wolf on Aug. 16 and did shoot a firearm in an attempt to kill the wolf, according to a statement from Travis Duncan, public information officer for Parks and Wildlife.
Following the shot, however, the two agencies “engaged in an exhaustive search but were unable to locate the animal,” Duncan added.
When asked whether the agents know if the firearm injured or hit the wolf, Duncan said the agency will not be releasing any more information about the operation until the final report is completed and posted to the Parks and Wildlife website.
The team on the ground “systematically” searched the area over the next six days, but was unable to find and kill the wolf due to “dense vegetation and difficult terrain in the area,” according to the release.
While Parks and Wildlife reported that the search and removal efforts are now concluded, both the state agency and Wildlife Services will continue to monitor Rio Blanco County for signs of further wolf activity. The agency added that there have been no depredations or reports of wolf vocalizations since Aug. 16.
Parks and Wildlife previously reported that the uncollared wolf was responsible for three livestock attacks — involving two lambs and one ewe — in Rio Blanco County on July 20, July 22 and Aug. 2.
This met the agency’s “chronic depredation” definition, marked by three or more wolf depredations in 30 days. Paired with cooperation by the affected producer to deploy non-lethal tools in an attempt to reduce conflict between wolves and livestock, Parks and Wildlife determined on Aug. 4 that the situation merited the lethal removal of the wolf. However, it delayed the search due to the fire activity for 12 days.
Parks and Wildlife has since confirmed that the wolf was connected to a fourth attack in the county on Aug. 16, where three lambs were killed.
As the effort concludes in Rio Blanco County, Parks and Wildlife staff are still on the ground in Pitkin County searching for a second wolf in the Copper Creek pack connected to multiple livestock attacks in the region.
The agency killed one of the pack’s yearling members in May after officials connected some of the pack’s wolves to four attacks between May 17 and May 25.
However, as the wolf’s death failed to change the pack’s behavior, and livestock attacks have continued in the region — with depredations confirmed on July 17 and Aug. 7 — the agency is looking to kill another animal from the pack.
The search to find and euthanize a second Copper Creek wolf began on July 20. Dewalt blamed “remote and difficult terrain” for the challenges in locating the animal.
The Collective is launching the first Snowmass Sausage Sprint from 4 to 6 p.m. July 15 at Snowmass Base Village.
Exceptional opportunity to advance your career with the most dynamic real estate management team in the Valley! Current Opening: Maintenance…
Job Description: Primary Responsibility Under the direct supervision of CMCs President & CEO and in close coordination with the…
Ad Operations & Account Manager Position Summary: The Ad Operations & Account Manager manages the advertising workflow from order to…
The Accounting Specialist in Carbondale, CO will work directly with the Vice President of Operations & Finance and the Senior…
WE’RE HIRING! FACILITIES ENGINEERS Engineer 1 $2228 per hour Engineer 3 $3446 per hour The Snowmass Club is more than…
Join the Culinary Team at PARC Aspen PARC Aspen is hiring talented and motivated individuals for backofhouse kitchen positions ,…
The Town of Carbondale is seeking an experienced and service-oriented Human Resources Manager to lead our HR operations and help…
Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) is hiring a full-time Maintenance Technician to join our service-oriented maintenance department, which plays a…
Job Description: Primary Responsibility Under the direction of a Campus Vice President, Unit Chief, or other Executive Officer, the Executive…
Exceptional opportunity to build your career with the most dynamic real estate management team in the Valley! Current Opening: Assistant…
Sign up for daily and breaking news headlines or manage your current settings.
Manage Subscriptions
Did you bid on one of the Nell Bell chairs?
View Results
Jobs
Classifieds
Autos
Real Estate
Rentals
Service Directory
Pets
Merchandise
Legals
Place Legal Ad
Search Legal Ads
Farm & Ranch
Recreation
Announcements
Contact Us
Become a Carrier
Submissions
Submit an Obituary
Advertise
Archives
Newsletters
Buy Photos
Commercial Print Sales
RSS
Aspen E-edition
Snowmass E-edition
Cookie List
Do not sell my personal information
Breckenridge – Summit County
Craig – Moffat County
Glenwood Springs – Rifle
Lake Tahoe – California
Steamboat Springs – Routt County
Vail – Eagle Valley
Winter Park – Granby – Grand County
Printing Press Jobs
©2005 – 2026 Swift Communications, Inc.
