County, Features

CPW confirms wolf presence

As Colorado prepares to vote on the ‘official’ reintroduction of wolves to the state, CPW confirmed evidence of a gray wolf pack in Northwest Colorado near Irish Canyon. Stock Photo

RBC | Even as the Colorado Secretary of State announced Monday that the “Restoration of Gray Wolves” initiative qualified for the 2020 General Election ballot, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials in Northwest Colorado are investigating an eyewitness report in October of six large canids traveling together (see video at the bottom of this post) and a separate report in late December of a scavenged elk carcass surrounded by canid tracks in the Irish Canyon area near the Wyoming and Utah borders.

“The [October] sighting marks the first time in recent history CPW has received a report of multiple wolves traveling together,” said CPW Northwest Regional Manager JT Romatzke. “In addition, in the days prior, the eyewitness says he heard distinct howls coming from different animals. In my opinion, this is a very credible report.”

“We have no doubt that they are here, and the most recent sighting of what appears to be wolves traveling together in what can be best described as a pack is further evidence of the presence of wolves in Colorado.” – CPW Northwest Regional Manager JT Romanske in Wednesday’s press release

CPW wildlife managers have confirmed that the tracks around the elk carcass are consistent with those made by wolves, and the condition of the carcass is consistent with known wolf predation.

Photos released by CPW in a press release earlier today show an elk carcass with signs of wolf predation, and canid tracks around the carcass are at least six inches in length. CPW Courtesy Photos

“It is inevitable, based on known wolf behavior, that they would travel here from states where their populations are well-established,” he said. “We have no doubt that they are here, and the most recent sighting of what appears to be wolves traveling together in what can be best described as a pack is further evidence of the presence of wolves in Colorado,” Romatzke said in a press release issued Wednesday. CPW will continue to operate under the agency’s current management direction.

“We will not take direct action and we want to remind the public that wolves are federally endangered species and fall under the jurisdiction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. As wolves move into the state on their own, we will work with our federal partners to manage the species,” he said.

The public is urged to contact CPW immediately if they see or hear wolves or find evidence of any wolf activity. The Wolf Sighting Form can be found here: https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/Wolf-Sighting-Form.aspx

For more information about wolves, visit the CPW website.

By NIKI TURNER | [email protected]

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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