Wildlife
Invasive Wildlife
Invasive wildlife are plants, animals, insects or diseases that are not native to Colorado and have harmful negative effects on the economy and environment. They are introduced accidentally or intentionally outside of their native range. Because they are not native to Colorado habitats, they have no natural competitors or predators and are able to reproduce rapidly and out-compete native wildlife. As habitat is destroyed, the wildlife that depends on it disappears as well.
Invasive Wildlife
Damage to Colorado
Invasive wildlife have no natural competitors or predators and are able to reproduce rapidly. As habitat is destroyed by invasive wildlife, Colorado wildlife that depends on the habitat disappears as well. Invasive wildlife damage Colorado's natural resources in many ways.
- Damage Colorado's lands and waters
- Consume enormous amounts of water, reducing the water supply for livestock, wildlife, native vegetation, and humans.
- Alter food chains
- Change physical characteristics of land and water
- Hurt the economy
- Ruin recreation opportunities
- Threaten public health
- Damage or impair infrastructure
$200
billion is the cost of ecological damage and control of invasive species per year in the United States and these costs are increasing.
42%
of the species on the Federal Threatened or Endangered Species lists are at risk primarily because of invasive species
Threats to Colorado
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic Nuisance Species are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams. Examples of ANS are the zebra mussel, quagga mussel, New Zealand mudsnail, and rusty crayfish, Asian carp or Eurasian watermilfoil. ANS can also include fish pathogens and diseases, such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) or whirling disease.
Forest Pests
Forest pests such as beetles, fungi, and pathogens threaten millions of trees in the United States.
Weeds
Noxious weeds outcompete native plants for food, space, light and nutrients. There are three types of invasive weeds that are a threat to Colorado.
Invasive Wildlife
Invasive Feral Hogs
Invasive feral hogs are illegal to possess, live or import into Colorado. They are one of the most destructive invasive species in America. Feral hogs cause serious ecological and agricultural damage to land, reduce property values and reproduce prolifically. Never bring a prohibited animal into Colorado. Report any feral hog sightings to Colorado Parks and Wildlife immediately.
Help Protect Colorado
Protect Colorado waters, land and wildlife by reporting a sighting of invasive wildlife.
