DENVER – It’s becoming more likely that you might see gray wolves in Colorado and officials are reminding people that it is a crime to kill them.
The wolf population is growing in nearby states and they are known to travel long distances, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials.
There has been an increase in reports of wolves in Colorado recently and several confirmed sightings over the past several years, officials said.
CPW issued a statement Monday reminding people that gray wolves are still protectedby the federal Endangered Species Act.
Killing a wolf or any endangered species can result in serious penalties, including criminal charges, a year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, officials warned.
“Whether you are a trapper, or an elk hunter, deer hunter, coyote hunter or a landowner protecting livestock from predators, you must be sure of your target before you take any animal,” CPW Director Bob Broscheid said. “Identifying the target and the species you are hunting is critical and a major tenet of safe and ethical hunting.”
A hunter mistakenly killed what he thought was a coyote a few miles north of Kremling in April 2015.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service chose to not charge the hunter after their investigation determined he was hunting legally, did not intentionally kill the wolf and immediately reported the incident to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials,” officials said.
Source: Gray wolf population increasing in Colorado | FOX31 Denver
Comments
It is with regret that this beautiful wolf was killed & mistaken for something else.
although the hunter reported the incident to officials surly by now they know the difference between each animal.
for this hunter not to be charged in my opinion is wrong’ if I was to drive my vehicle at someone to kill them then I would be prosecuted for murder. & if I was to run someone down in an accident & kill them’ I would still be prosecuted for manslaughter.
so why should it be different for animals especially them who are supposed to be protected. how many other hunters are going to do this & report it but face no charges. this tells me our beautiful wolves in this case are not being protected.
Hi Julie,
After our recent Visit to Yellowstone, we were able to also Document several things at the Junction Butte Rendezvous Den as well. We saw the Park, refuse to ticket an Outfitter that we believe road right by their Renezvous Den on Purpose! 1 of our Editors is still in the Park to continue documenting the outcome of the Incident, however as of lastnight… we are told they did not see any wolves in the immediate area…. It doesnt mean they are not there… but means that they are in fact stressed out, and chose to hide from everyone!! It is sad that there are in fact Pages on Facebook that post articles claiming that they were not bothered by them… But they are doing nothing more than allowing the Park to get away with not Protecting Wildlife as they clearly are told by Law to do!! We are trying to get more Information prior to Posting our article about them.
hooray! the wolves can make a comeback!!!!