Colorado rancher says wildlife agency confirmed wolf killed 3 of his sheep
Colorado's wolf reintroduction program has hit a controversial snag as news emerged of the first confirmed kills of livestock by the state's newly reintroduced wolf population.
Rancher Brian Anderson of North Park reported on Saturday that three of his 100-pound lambs were killed on his ranch, with confirmed evidence pointing to at least one of the Colorado wolves being responsible for the attack.
According to Anderson, this wasn't a surprise as ranchers in Jackson County had been warned about the inevitable presence of wolves in the area since their natural migration into Colorado earlier this year. However, this is the first time in eight months that confirmed kills have been reported and the first time that sheep have been targeted, raising concerns for other livestock owners in the region.
In a statement on Tuesday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the killings and stated that they will reimburse Anderson for his losses.
However, this may not be enough to ease the concerns of ranchers who have been dealing with wolf attacks since their reintroduction a year ago. In fact, since March of 2021, there have been a total of 12 claims involving 13 cattle and three working cattle dogs, totaling over $39,000 in compensation paid out by the state wildlife agency.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife told the Coloradoan before Friday's killings that the state had paid $39,403.98 on 12 claims involving 13 cattle and three working cattle dogs since the North Park pack first killed livestock in December 2021. The state wildlife agency only compensates for working cattle dogs, not pet dogs.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of the state's wolf management plan, which allows for a maximum compensation of $15,000 for the loss of a working dog. This amount may seem substantial, but for ranchers who rely on these dogs to protect their livestock, the loss can be devastating.
With the deadline for wolf reintroduction, mandated by a voter-approved initiative, quickly approaching, Colorado officials are now facing pressure to capture and release up to 10 wolves from Oregon.
On December 8, the federal 10(j) rule of the Endangered Species Act will go into effect, allowing for more flexibility in managing wolves in the state, including the option to kill predators that pose a threat to livestock.
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The recent killings have sparked a debate among conservationists and ranchers about the true impact of introducing wolves into Colorado's ecosystem. While conservationists argue that the presence of wolves is necessary for a balanced ecosystem, ranchers like Phil Anderson, who has been working on his family's ranch for over a century, believe that enough is enough.
"We have cooperated to the highest extent to protect our livestock," says Anderson. "But it stops at some point. These wolves are out of control and it's time for the state to take action."