Causes of death for gray wolves 2514 and 2512 confirmed

Travis Duncan
Public Information Supervisor
720-595-8294 / [email protected]

DENVER – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has confirmed that the investigations into the cause of death for gray wolves 2514 and 2512 have been completed.
 
The mortality of female gray wolf 2514 in Rocky Mountain National Park on April 20 was due to injuries from an apparent mountain lion attack.
 
The USFWS also confirmed the mortality of female gray wolf 2512 in northwest Colorado on May 15 was due to an apparent secondary trauma from a lawful foothold trap used for coyote control. While Colorado law generally prohibits the use of foothold traps, an exception allows owners of property used for commercial livestock production or their designated agents to use these traps for a 30-day period if certain criteria are satisfied. Here, CPW confirmed the criteria were satisfied and issued a 30-day trapping permit. Upon discovering the wolf, the trapper notified CPW, which released the animal. The agency received a mortality signal the next day.

Because the trap was placed lawfully, neither the USFWS nor CPW plan to take further law enforcement action. Pending further review, CPW has implemented a statewide suspension on its practice of issuing 30-day permits that allow taking coyotes or other terrestrial species using foothold/leghold traps, instant-kill body-gripping design traps, or snares and will provide additional guidance as soon as possible. While CPW will continue to recognize the exceptions to the general prohibition on these trap designs, CPW cautions landowners that federal and state law prohibit taking gray wolves unless specifically authorized under the USFWS 10(j) rule and CPW regulations.

The USFWS said that the investigation regarding the mortality of collared male gray wolf 2507 on May 31 is still active and that no further information can be released at this time.

Wolf survival in Colorado is within normal margins for a wolf population in the Rocky Mountains. The average lifespan of a gray wolf in the Rocky Mountains is generally 3-4 years.