Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Thursday that a wolf or wolves were behind the deaths of four cattle in Grand County this week.
Travis Duncan, CPW’s public information officer, reported that on Wednesday, the agency investigated a depredation incident in Grand County and determined that the injuries on three young cattle were “consistent with wolf attacks.”
Although the report was not confirmed until Thursday, officials reported that the depredation likely occurred on Monday or Tuesday during a snowstorm, which concealed the carcasses until they were discovered on Wednesday. Another cattle death was found on Thursday at the same property, and CPW confirmed it as another wolf attack.
Duncan stated, “The investigation revealed injuries on one deceased young cattle consistent with wolf attacks, including hemorrhaging and partially eaten hindquarters.”
CPW did not disclose which wolves were responsible for the attacks, but the wolves were among the 10 released in the state in December 2023.
Following the deaths of other livestock this month in Grand County, the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association penned a letter to CPW, urging them to eliminate the offending wolves.
The letter praised local CPW officers for their cooperation but called on CPW leadership to address their request promptly, emphasizing the importance of a cooperative relationship between producers and CPW as they navigate this issue.
CPW compensates ranchers for damages caused by wolves at the animal’s fair market value, capped at $15,000.
The first incident involving a calf depredation occurred on April 2 in Grand County. CPW identified the wolves responsible as part of the reintroduced group from Oregon.
On April 7, a second calf in Jackson County was killed by wolves. CPW confirmed that both reintroduced wolves and those from Wyoming were present in the area.
Two other wolves in Jackson County are blamed for the killing of 16 cows and calves, working dogs, and sheep. However, wolves from that group are believed to have come to Colorado several years ago from Wyoming.
»Related: Colorado’s gray wolf reintroduction begins this month
