A gray wolf, a species under federal protection, was discovered deceased in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. The incident occurred on April 20 and has prompted an official investigation into the circumstances surrounding the wolf’s death.

Details of the Incident

Confirmed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the deceased was a female gray wolf that was part of a reintroduced population originally brought from British Columbia to Colorado. Given its status as a federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act, the investigation will be coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Challenges to Gray Wolf Populations

The decline in gray wolf populations is largely attributed to human intervention, particularly predator control mechanisms. While gray wolves can live up to 15 years in optimal conditions, the average lifespan in the Rocky Mountains is significantly lower, averaging three to four years, according to CPW officials.

Implications for Reintroduction Efforts

CPW officials emphasized that mortality rates are anticipated within any reintroduction program, a consideration already factored into the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. “Mortality is a factor that plays a role in all natural populations,” stated the officials.

The conclusive cause of death for this specific wolf will remain undetermined until the investigation reaches its conclusion.