Exploring New Territory: Colorado’s Reintroduced Wolves Roam Southeast
One of Colorado’s reintroduced wolves has ventured farther southeast over the past month, venturing into territory not yet explored by any of the state’s collared wolves. The female wolf has been spotted in watersheds in Chaffee, Park, and Fremont counties, as indicated by a recent tracking map released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
This new territory spans a vast expanse of mountains, hills, and high prairie stretching from Leadville to Salida, Fairplay, and Cañon City. It represents uncharted territory for the wolves in Colorado, showcasing their adaptability and willingness to explore new areas.
The tracking map, covering the period between December 22 and January 21, highlights the movement of the state’s 29 wolves. It shows the various watersheds where these wolves have traveled, giving insight into their roaming patterns and potential habitats.
Notably, the map now includes the movements of the 15 wolves that were captured in Canada and released in Colorado recently. These wolves were released in Pitkin and Eagle counties, with some of them venturing into areas west of Aspen and north of Eagle.
In addition to these new sightings, a female wolf and her four pups were reintroduced in either Pitkin or Eagle counties after being recaptured last year due to their involvement in livestock killings in Grand County. Unfortunately, the male wolf of the pack passed away after being captured, succumbing to a gunshot wound sustained prior to capture.
While the female wolf exploring south of Leadville and the wolves west of Aspen have expanded their range, the majority of the wolves remain concentrated in Summit, Grand, Jackson, Routt, and Garfield counties. Most of the known wolves in Colorado are collared, except for a fifth pup from the Middle Park pack, which has managed to evade biologists and remain wild without tracking.
As the wolves continue to acclimate to their new environment and explore unfamiliar territories, their movements provide valuable insights into their behavior and habitat preferences. Tracking their progress can help wildlife officials better understand and protect these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
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