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Middle Park Stockgrowers ‘deeply concerned by the lack of response’ from state leaders after wolf depredations
Sky High News
After the killings of four cattle in Grand County on the week of April 15, the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association sent a request to Colorado Park and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, to lethally remove the two wolves that are believed to have committed the recent depredations.
In this request letter, dated April 18, the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association asked for the wolves to be defined as chronic depredators. The Stockgrowers Association told Sky-Hi News that its members have not received a response from Governor Jared Polis or CPW Director Jeff Davis. Both Gov. Polis and Davis were copied in the letter, as well as commission members.
Currently, the state has not defined what constitutes chronic depredation. In a meeting with livestock producers in Kremmling on April 9, CPW stated that the definition of “chronic depredation” is still being worked on.
Once a wolf has been defined as a chronic depredator, a livestock producer or wildlife official can intervene to lethally remove that wolf.
“We are deeply concerned by the lack of response to our initial request,” the stockgrowers wrote in a second letter, sent April 22. “The urgency of this situation demands swift and decisive action.”
The stockgrowers believe that two wolves have been responsible for killing five head of livestock this April in Grand County, in three separate events. CPW has not released information on which wolves have committed the killings. However, the agency has stated that the wolf or wolves in the area at the time of the depredation were part of the 10 wolves that were reintroduced in December 2023.
“The continued presence of these wolves poses a severe economic hardship for Grand County ranchers. These recent attacks not only inflict financial losses but also threaten the viability of their operations,” the association wrote.
The stockgrowers added that Grand County livestock producers have been working diligently to protect their herds through non-lethal means. Producers have implemented carcass management strategies, kept watch throughout the night, and used tools such as fox lights and cracker shells.
“Despite these ongoing efforts and close collaboration with local wildlife management, the depredation events have continued,” the stockgrowers stated. “Furthermore, repeated livestock depredation can erode public support for wolf restoration efforts.”
With calving season occurring during the spring, ranchers are even more vulnerable to wolves. Since the 10 wolves were released in Grand and Summit counties, there have been six confirmed depredations – five in Grand and one in Jackson County, as well as one injured calf. The first depredation occurred on April 2.
If two wolves have been responsible for five out of six attacks since April 2, this amounts to 83% of the confirmed wolf depredations in Colorado.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, chronic depredation is defined as three depredations in 30 days or four depredations in a 10-month rolling window. These two wolves would be considered chronic depredators in Washington, and thus could be lethally removed to protect livestock.
Already, U.S. Fish and Wildlife has granted a 10(j) rule as part of the wolf restoration management plan. This allows the state or ranchers to remove wolves, which are normally protected under the Endangered Species Act.
“Getting wolf restoration right from the start requires addressing conflicts proactively, especially when wolves from known depredating packs are introduced,” the stockgrowers wrote. “Lethal removal, as a last resort, is a necessary tool to deter further depredation and rebuild trust with stakeholders.”
In the second letter, the association once again urged CPW and the Fish and Wildlife Service to work collaboratively to define chronic depredation in the state and allow producers to exercise the right provided by the 10(j) rule.
If the two agencies take action, this “demonstrates responsible management and protects the long-term viability of wolf populations by ensuring their coexistence with ranching communities,” the association concluded.
Grand County Sheriff’s Office issues letter to CPW director
On April 22, Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin also sent a request to director Davis – in support of the Middle Park Stockgrowers.
Sheriff Schroetlin stated that the recent depredations present a public safety risk, as well as increased concerns over private property rights. He reiterated that wildlife agency leaders need to make an immediate decision to support the Stockgrowers’ request to remove the wolves.
If Director Davis and other state leaders do not respond, they are “ultimately failing the great citizens of this county; many of whom are multi-generational ranching families and businesses, and setting poor precedence for future encounters in Grand County and most likely other areas in our region that will soon be following suit,” Schroetlin concluded.
No wolf has been killed for depredating in Colorado. The two collared wolves with territory in Jackson County, which are not a part of the reintroduction, killed or injured 16 head of livestock, and killed four working dogs since December 2021. One of these two wolves may have been responsible for the death of a calf in Jackson County on April 7, according to CPW.