Investigation Underway for Death of Gray Wolf 2514-BC in Rocky Mountain National Park

The death of a female gray wolf, known as 2514-BC, in Rocky Mountain National Park has prompted an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as the cause remains undetermined pending a necropsy. 2514-BC was one of 15 wolves translocated from British Columbia to Colorado earlier this year as part of the state's controversial reintroduction effort, which has seen six deaths among reintroduced wolves in the past year. While some in the conservation community are concerned by these setbacks, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) emphasizes that mortality was anticipated and that current wolf survival rates remain within normal expectations for the region. The reintroduction program has also been marked by public debate among ranchers, conservationists, and residents, particularly as some wolves have been killed due to livestock conflicts or natural causes. Of the wolves brought from British Columbia, three have died in the last month, with prior deaths occurring in Wyoming related to livestock mitigation and unknown circumstances. Despite these losses, the management plan developed by CPW accounts for such incidents and aims to sustain a healthy wolf population in Colorado.