The future of the Copper Creek wolf pack is up for discussion during a special meeting of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) commission. The pack, which had pups last spring, has been linked to repeated livestock attacks and deaths across Pitkin and Grand counties, according to the Vail Daily. 

While ranchers have tried to mitigate livestock threats, CPW has had to place some of the wolves into captivity and, over Memorial Day weekend, lethally removed a Copper Creek pack yearling. According to CPW Director Jeff Davis, that was meant to “alter the social structure and social behavior of the pack itself” and is part of the current wolf management plan.

“We’re trying to be incremental and strategic in our movements before we jump all the way to: all of them are bad animals,” said Davis, adding that, “[s]ome of these animals are literally six weeks old.”

Following the removal of the yearling, the agency has said it is closely monitoring the pack and will “react promptly” in the event that the pack continues to behave this way, said Davis.

Ranchers in the area have spoken about the impact of wolves on their cattle, with Tom Harrington, president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, noting that, “These producers are having to literally live with their animals in order to try to protect them. The two ranches up in that area, since that yearling was removed, they’ve continued to have impacts. The wolves are still in their cattle daily.”

Commissioners have requested information about the Copper Creek pack prior to the meeting, specifically pack size, health and behavioral changes since CPW removed the yearling last month. Further, they have asked for additional information on the pack members involved in depredations and how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would intervene considering that gray wolves are federally protected in the state.

The meeting will be held virtually from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7. 

You can watch the livestream here.