Wolves in the Southern Rockies: Principles, Problems and Prospects

• Dave Armstrong, John Amoroso
• Aug 01, 2002

Wolves have been present in North America for tens of thousands of years, co-evolving with the muskox, bison, elk, and moose. After the decimation of elk and bison herds during the 19th century, wolf populations nosedived. This situation worsened when wolves turned to livestock to replace their native prey. Resulting conflicts with humans led to the elimination of wolves from the Southern Rockies by the early 1940s.

Today, the gray wolf is making a comeback in the Great Lakes region and the Northern Rockies. The Southern Rockies Wolf Restoration Project and other groups are working toward the goal of a similar comeback in the Southern Rockies.

Therefore, this booklet was prepared to provide information to the public and to encourage discussion on the issues that surround wolf restoration in the Southern Rocky Mountain Ecoregion—Colorado and adjacent areas of northern New Mexico and southern Wyoming. While there are definite wildlife management issues that warrant discussion, this booklet is focused on the social, philosophical and political implications of large predator recovery. Hopefully, it will provide the knowledge and understanding necessary to spark the informed discussion that is critical to any successful wolf recovery effort.