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And wolves need Colorado. Wolves are native to our state but were eradicated, mainly due to pressure from the livestock industry, by the early 1940’s. As they evolved with native wildlife in Colorado, our ecosystems became dependent on them to keep healthy. Wolves’ are necessary, their benefits range from restoring natural habitat to sustainability to climate resilience. Wolves are a vital part of our local heritage and it’s time we reclaimed our legacy. There’s work to be done. Are you in? While we don’t hear the howling of wild wolves in the high country yet, you can see them up close and personal in the Rocky Mountain State by visiting Colorado’s Wolf and Wildlife Center. Located in Divide, Colorado, the Center’s mission is to educate the public about wolves and other carnivores, while stressing their importance to our ecosystem. The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center aims to dispel myths and allow visitors, from Colorado and across the globe, the chance to interact with wolves in a nearly natural habitat.
Wolves are apex carnivores whose impacts cascade throughout entire ecosystems. The loss of wolves from Colorado has had negative impacts for our landscapes and wildlife – from deer and elk, to aspen and songbirds, to beaver and cutthroat trout– wolves make native wildlife healthier. Restoration of wolves to places such as Yellowstone National Park has resulted in far-reaching benefits to native species and ecosystems. Reconnecting ancient paths that enable wolves to move freely in their ancestral range and restoring ancient connections between species is critical to restoring local ecosystem resilience in the face of a changing global climate.
Colorado’s native biological diversity is a treasure that we have the great privilege of experiencing – a treasure current and future generations have the right to experience as well. This privilege should be nurtured and protected. Wolves are a key component of our state’s landscape – our natural heritage. But this critical voice is missing from Colorado.
Wolves are a part of our history, mine and yours. Wolves belong here, for everyone born and
not yet born, for all time.
The reintroduction of wolves has majorly contributed to tourism in Yellowstone. An estimated $5 million in annually revenue results from wolf “eco-tourism.”
Perception of “the big-bad-wolf” may not be in our favor, but the facts are: since the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995, there have been 2,580,909 tent campers in the park – and no campers have been injured by a wolf.
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Wolves and livestock can and do coexist. Successful carnivore-livestock coexistence management strategies have been developed and adopted in many ranching communities Occasionally wolves do hunt livestock. These depredations are exceptionally rare, and rancher compensation programs pay ranchers for their losses. In 2014, there were 2,550,000 head of cattle in Montana, 2,240,000 head in Idaho and 1,270,000 in Wyoming – in that same year in these three states combined, there were only a total of 140 confirmed losses to wolves Wolves eat elk, but in doing so make ecosystems and elk herds healthier o Wolves, unlike human hunters, select vulnerable prey: young, sick and old. This leaves a healthier, more robust herd with greater genetic viability Elk populations in Wyoming and Montana have grown since the reintroduction of wolves in 1995 Elk and deer harvest in Idaho was higher in 2016 than before wolf reintroduction in 1995
Our politicians are entrusted to protect our heritage and environment for future generations. Wolves are at the core of that promise. This responsibility has been ignored and it’s up to us to remind them.
Education is key. We need volunteers like you to break through the cloud of misinformation surrounding wolves in Colorado. You can support our efforts as an organizer, educator, writer, digital specialist, researcher, and more.
Across the state, individuals and communities are acting. There are lots of ways to help, both large and small! 1. 2. 3. 4.
Sign our Protect Wolves petition here. Fill out a volunteer form or apply for an internship here: sierraclub.org/colorado/volunteer Like us on Facebook or follow our Twitter or Instagram pages. Email delia.malone@rmc.sierraclub.org with any questions or ideas.
Learn more at http://sierraclub.org/colorado/wolves