Posted on 12/05/2023 1:08:43 PM PST by NohSpinZone
In late 2020, Colorado voters did something relatively unprecedented in the nation’s history by voting to reintroduce wolves to the state. That process, several years in the works now, will involve transplanting wolves from Oregon — and even though the measure was given the goahead three years ago, some opponents of the measure remain skeptical. That in and of itself isn’t too surprising; you’d think that if people changed their mind on how they’d voted, it would likely happen after wolves returned to Colorado, and that hasn’t happened yet.
A recent article at NPR by Kurt Siegler offers a good overview of the issues at stake here — and a reminder of why there was support for the measure to bring back wolves in the state in the first place.
To start with, Colorado has a lot of elk. Nearly twice as much as Montana, Siegler writes. That elk population also played a role in determining which wolves would be imported into the state, as Oregon’s wolves also have a penchant for snacking on elk.
Some advocates for the wolves have argued that, while the state’s population is growing, there’s plenty of room for everyone. “Along the highways we have a lot of development, but if you get in an airplane and you fly over out here, there’s a lot of untouched wilderness,” Pitkin County Commission chair Francie Jacober told NPR.
Part of the debate around wolves also has to do with their elusiveness. “One rancher referred to wolves as really ghostly in their presence,” Wolfish author Erica Berry told InsideHook earlier this year. “That feels like that’s increased the sort of mystery around them, just by the nature of their biology.” We’re about to see that mystery get a bit more clarified in one western state.
(Excerpt) Read more at insidehook.com ...
Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
You have been out in the woods, most people who want to "bring back the cute and cuddly wolfees" have not. They can not tell the difference between a wolf and a husky either.
There was a school that went on lock down recently because of a "mountain lion" that turned out to be a slightly larger than normal house cat. Not even a Maine Coon sized cat either.
I like and admire wolves. But have no interest in bumping into them when out hiking or cross-country skiing.
That’s what I worry about too.
They actually didn't. Wolves comprise several species and sub-species. What was put into Yellowstone was the non-native Canadian Grey Wolf.
If I was in Colorado I'd sue to force them to stock the actual native species of wolf in that state ( probably the Plains Wolf) and not the non- native invasive species they probably want to use.
Why reintroduce wolves? It is not like they are endangered as a specie. There are tens of thousands of wolves in Canada and Alaska. It has been proved over and over that wolves and domestic livestock do not coexist well and it is not the livestock’s fault.
Stocking any wolf back is idiot thought. Ranchers and deer and elk, mountain lions and coyotes think they all suck. I live in the Rocky Mountains the government stopped hunting them. I didn’t.
What about elk that identify as cows?
“In late 2020, Colorado voters did something relatively unprecedented in the nation’s history by voting to reintroduce wolves to the state...”
Not surprising at all given that those idiots regularly vote democrat.
“It is hard for me to see any advantages to reintroducing wolves.”
I can only think of one. There is worry in wildlife world these days about large game hunting dying off. Maybe they hope wolves can take the place of hunters so animals don’t overpopulate. This won’t work because predators will always eat the easiest prey to catch and kill. The again, if they get rid of cows, sheep, etc. the wolves will have limited diets.
They'll pack up and hunt like wolves and howl. Heard them take down a few deer.
They'll also yelp like coyotes.
Had a pack behind my house of 12-15. Shot a 40 lb 2 year old blonde male and a 50 lb female, from the back porch.
Saw 2 males that had to be close to the state record of 70 lb state record.
They’re talking about Wolverines now. Denver Hippies.
I’m not disagreeing with that but look at this thread. Most people don’t know anything about wolves. There needs to be a way to throw a monkey wrentch into the process while trying to enlighten the public that this “reintroduction” is a fraud.
I know someone who has two wolves as pets. He has them listed as some dog breed because keeping wolves is illegal in Utah. They are really nothing like dogs. Very creepy to be around. Tails do not wag. Yellow eyes stare at you with no friendliness. They are as much like dogs as tigers are like housecats.
Cute and cuddly my a$$. There’s a guy who does youtube video of wolfs he has, he does some educational work with them too. He makes it perfectly clear, in no uncertain terms that they are not pets; his years of experience working with them let’s him know how to interpret their moods and behaviors but would NEVER have a stranger in with them.
Sea lions, dolphins, elephants, all members of the weasel family and yes, wolves.
Do I think they should be wiped out? Of course not. But I do not think they should be put near people either. They are dangerous.
::winkwink::
After moving up to the Colorado mountains five years ago, I quickly learned that the mountain coyotes are freakishly like wolves - versus the prairie suburban coyotes. They are bigger, thicker, more aggressive, run in packs, and are fast! I can’t imagine what the wolves would be like!
with their food but sometimes they will just kill for fun.
I have said many times that I don’t object to the introduction of wolves or even grizzly bears. They just have to be introduced in the right places. The people of Denver and Boulder want wolves. I say let them have them. Think of how much more climate friendly it would be too! Just turn all the four legged predator’s loose on Capital Hill in Denver and at the collage in Boulder. The wolf lovers can cuddle with them all they like without having to drive halfway across the state to my backyard. This could be the solution to two problems at the same time.
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