Wolf spotted in Montrose County, hear reaction to reintroduction program
MONTROSE, Colo. (KREX) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) captured wolves from British Columbia, Canada and Oregon, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to reintroduce wolves to the Colorado ecosystem after they were eradicated in the mid-1940s.
'As far as the wolf reintroduction, I think it's the most ignorant thing I've heard of,' said Montrose County resident Vicki Benson.
'They kidnapped them. They took them from their territory, they took them from their families and moved then to a place where they have no idea where they are. Now, they're trying to get home and everybody's having a fit because they saw one in Montrose County, well… big deal. The thing's heading home.'
Stella Strand, another Montrose County resident in disagreement with Proposition 114, says taking wolves from Oregon to Colorado is wrong.
'Taking them out of their natural habitat and then bringing them to another place that they're not familiar with. I think that's just cruel to them.'
Telluride resident Chris Bonebrake agrees with the reintroduction and welcomes them back into the ecosystem.
'Absolutely. Absolutely, I believe that they are part of the ecosystem. I'd like to hear from some biologists about how they do, in fact, help the ecosystem.'
CPW tracks wolf movement using radio collars to confirm the wolf sighting in Montrose. CPW states the animal made movements from the northern part of Gunnison County into the southern part before spotted in Montrose.'
CPW says large movements are expected as the wolves explore their new surroundings.
In an emailed statement to our newsroom, CPW states that 'field staff are in ongoing communication with local agriculture producers, local government officials and law enforcement partners regarding the presence of wolves in their areas.'
'And will continue to collaborate on ways to minimize the risk of depredation.'
Click here for an activity map of the wolves location. It is published on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Click here for the CPW wolf sighting form.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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