Colorado wolf depredation policy suspended as Parks and Wildlife cites population concerns

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the state’s grey wolf population may not grow this biological year, and it is suspending its directive on how to handle chronic depredation.

They said they will evaluate requests to lethally remove wolves more conservatively because of population concerns. Under the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, CPW says it is taking an adaptive, context-specific approach to wolf management.

“Up to this point, CPW has carefully followed the adaptive management framework called for in the wolf plan, our chronic depredation directive, and has conducted the appropriate consultations in every action we have taken this season,” said CPW Director Laura Clellan. “Each decision to lethally remove a wolf is painstakingly evaluated and considered, and this option has only been pursued when all other viable options have been exhausted.”

The agency says it has lethally removed five wolves since April 1 and is investigating the death of another. But other concerns also factored into CPW’s decision.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO