Colorado Counts 40 Dead Cows with Wolf Injuries Since October, Mystery Predator Left No Tracks

In Colorado alone, 40 dead cows with wolf injuries have already been discovered since October.

However, because the unidentified predator left no traces at all, it is challenging to determine the exact cause of death.

18 dead cows were discovered in October close to the town of Meeker, according to a Sunday report from Steamboat Pilot & Today.

Some, but not all, appeared to have been killed by wolves, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials have not discovered any wolf tracks or other proof of their presence nearby.

However, whatever creature is killing the cows still seems to be out in full force.

Up to 40 dead cows have already been discovered nearby since October.

Wanted Mystery Predator

Officials in charge of wildlife have made every effort to locate the animal.

The newspaper reported that despite the use of aerial flights and trail cameras, the offender has not been located.

Travis Black, the Northwest regional director for CPW, said that it is frustrating to try to determine exactly what happened in this incident because it is perplexing, confusing, and difficult.

They don't have any wolf evidence in that region; however, that doesn't mean the predators aren't there.

There are still ongoing investigations into what might be killing the livestock.

Several other fatal diseases can affect cows.

Wildlife officials thought it might be the Clostridium bacteria, which can make cows sick to their stomachs and then kill them.

However, Sky-Hi News reported that it has been ruled out by veterinarians.

Wolves? Not Wolves?

Although there isn't much proof to support it, wolves could still be to blame for the deaths.

Black emphasized that the predators' typical feeding behavior is missing as evidence that they are wolves.

Normally, wolves would return and consume a carcass.

The incident takes place as gray wolves gradually return to Colorado. Before their complete eradication by the 1940s, gray wolves were once widely distributed in the state.

Additionally, Colorado plans to put into effect a wolf reintroduction program that was approved by voters in 2020.

According to Steamboat Pilot & Today, the plan will be conveyed to the CPW Commission on December 9, and intends to reintroduce additional wolves to the state by the end of 2023.

Wolves occasionally move from neighboring states into Colorado. They most likely come from populations in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming that are part of the Northern Rockies.

If wolves are the murderous predators, this would indicate that they are entering Colorado earlier than usual for the season, according to Steamboat Pilot & Today.

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Reintroduction of Wolves

Reintroducing the species was not always met with widespread support.

Some farmers were worried that the wolves would feed on their livestock; however, biologists have said that reintroduction is essential for the ecosystem of the state because it will restore the balance of predators and prey.

Grant Spickelmier, the International Wolf Center executive director, told Newsweek that wildland ecosystems can benefit greatly from the presence of wolves, but how well the canine species are tolerated by the local human populations will directly affect how well they can survive.

Numerous other species, including the mountain lion, can be found in Colorado.

However, authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the species is a suspect.

Although the exact number of wolves in Colorado is unknown, wildlife officials estimate there could be six of them in 2020. In 2021, one of the wolves gave birth to six pups.

But it's still unknown how many wolves are left in the area.

Three female wolves were discovered dead in Wyoming, not far from the Colorado border, in October. Authorities thought they belonged to the sole wolf pack in Colorado.

Spickelmier said that wolves do not see state borders, which makes it easy for them to cross into regions where they are less welcomed.

The species may be taken at any time without a hunting license in Wyoming. Wolves, however, are a protected species in Colorado, making it unlawful to hunt them.

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