Lawmakers ask Fish and Wildlife to review Colorado wolf translocations after multiple deaths
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Summary
Representative Crank told the committee that several translocated wolves from British Columbia and Oregon have died and asked the Fish and Wildlife Service to review whether Colorado Parks and Wildlife followed its 10(j) permit and translocation protocols; Director Nesbick agreed to request documents and conduct a review.
Representative Crank told the subcommittee he had received constituent complaints about Colorado’s wolf reintroduction and said Colorado Parks and Wildlife may have moved wolves outside the scope of the original 10(j) permit. Crank said five of 15 wolves imported from British Columbia had died (a 67 percent survival figure cited by the member) and that additional mortalities put an overall survival estimate at about 60 percent.
“Would you do that?” Crank asked about reviewing the survival rate and whether Colorado followed its translocation protocol. Director Nesbick said, “Yes, sir. We, we will do that,” and confirmed the Service had requested additional information and documents from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to determine compliance with the memorandum of understanding and the 10(j) provisions.
Nesbick said the Service has authority and responsibility under the Endangered Species Act to oversee translocations and that where a 10(j) permit applies, its terms and agreements outline how the parties communicate and coordinate on management issues. He also said the Service told Colorado it could not expand translocations beyond specified geographic source or destination states under the terms of the permit.
The committee did not take formal action but recorded members’ requests for documentation and follow‑up.