Operation to Relocate B.C. Wolves to Colorado is Now Underway
A wildlife team is capturing grey wolves in British Columbia for relocation to Colorado, aiming to boost the local wolf population.
British Columbia, Colorado, Wolves, Wildlife, Ecology
DENVER: A wildlife team from the U.S. is on a mission to capture grey wolves in British Columbia. They plan to relocate these wolves to Colorado.
This operation is part of an agreement with the B.C. government. They aim to move up to 15 wolves each year for the next few years. It’s all about restoring balance in the ecosystem.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is leading the charge. They’ve been working on ways to reduce conflicts between wolves and livestock. The operation is expected to take about two weeks.
Before the wolves are moved, they’ll be tested for diseases and fitted with collars. This way, they can keep an eye on how the wolves adapt in their new home.
Back in 2020, Colorado voters decided to reintroduce wolves to help with ecological balance. They started this journey by bringing in five wolves from Oregon late last year.
Eric Odell, who manages the wolf program in Colorado, expressed excitement about this collaboration with B.C. He believes it will enhance the genetic diversity of the wolf population in Colorado.
The wolves being captured will come from areas without livestock. This is to avoid any issues related to livestock attacks. The B.C. government has noted that grey wolves are not endangered there, with a healthy population of around 8,500.
This news was first reported by The Canadian Press on January 15, 2025.