November 8th 2024.
On Thursday, federal officials announced that one of the reintroduced wolves in Colorado had passed away due to injuries sustained during a fight with another wolf. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a statement stating that the deceased wolf had also previously suffered a gunshot wound on one of its hind legs, which had healed.
The loss of the wolf, identified as 2307-OR, was confirmed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife on September 10th in Grand County. As grey wolves in Colorado are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service took on the investigation into the death. After thorough examination, it was determined that the male wolf had succumbed to injuries sustained in a fight, most likely with another wolf. It was noted that the wolf was in good nutritional health at the time of its death.
According to FWS spokesman Joe Szuszwalak, the examination revealed injuries that were consistent with those caused by wolves and other canids. Additionally, an analysis of hair samples collected from the scene further supports the involvement of another wolf. This marks the third death among the 10 wolves reintroduced into the state in December.
In other related news, it was reported that one of the wolves was found dead in the spring, presumably killed after a fight with a mountain lion. The second death occurred on September 3rd when the patriarch of the first pack established by reintroduced wolves was captured by Colorado Parks and Wildlife following livestock killings. CPW stated that the wolf had died from injuries it sustained prior to capture. The FWS is still in the process of investigating this particular death.
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