Possible return of wolverines to Colorado discussed by Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, wolverines disappeared from the state a century ago and the evidence of the animal was 13 years ago but a plan to reintroduce the animals was discussed Wednesday.
Dan Prenzlow, director of CPW, mentioned the subject during the first day of the two-day annual CPW Commission meeting.
CPW said that it presented a report and plan in 2010 regarding how wolverine reintroduction might happen, and the agency is reviewing that plan to determine if it remains a possibility.
"We will be working with a wolverine expert who is going to take on updating and providing greater detail on a wolverine restoration and management plan," CPW spokesman Travis Duncan said in a statement to KRDO NewsChannel 13 Wednesday. "The contract isn’t in place yet, but we hope to be able to say more on this soon."
Prenzlow, during his remarks at the meeting, said that he has requested funds to hire a program manager and staff to manage the reintroduction.
The wolverine is the largest member of the weasel family -- occasionally mistaken for a small bear -- growing to a length of three feet, stockily built and weighing up to 30 pounds. It prefers to live in high-altitude alpine environments and generally preys on small mammals.
However, wolverines have been known to attack larger prey, such as deer and cattle -- which makes some people wary about returning such a predator to the wild, even within its home range.
The state's last wolverine sighting was in 1919, but in 2009 the Greater Yellowstone Wolverine Program tracked a wolverine -- wearing a radio marker -- that covered 500 miles from Grand Teton National Park in western Wyoming into north central Colorado.
That wolverine survived in the state for two years, CPW said.
According to some reports, Colorado has the potential to support up to 100 wolverines.
CPW is working with groups, governments and other interested parties on the wolverine plan.
The Colorado Cattlemen's Association, representing the state's ranching industry, released the following statement Wednesday:
"As with the reintroduction of any predator, CCA wants to ensure that it’s science-based and should address the impact on big game populations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a trusted game management agency and we don’t want to hinder their ability to properly manage wildlife whether that be financially or through politically-motivated species management."
Meanwhile, CPW is also in the process of planning to reintroduce gray wolves on Colorado's eastern slope by the end of next year.
