WALDEN, Colorado — The first gray wolf born and collared in Colorado was captured Wednesday by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
The female gray wolf pup was given a GPS collar in North Park, Colorado and will be identified as 2202.
According to CPW, the pup is one of six produced by female wolf F1084 and male wolf 2101 in 2021, meaning the newly collared pup is one of eight wolves in the North Park area near Walden.
F1084 is known to have migrated to Colorado from the Snake River Pack in Wyoming from a previously-fitted collar. CPW said F1084's collar stopped transmitting, leading to the decision to fit a GPS collar on another member of the pack.
During the collaring effort, a CPW-contracted company safely darted the wolf pup with a tranquilizer from a helicopter, allowing the collar to be fitted by field staff on the ground.
"The wolf pup was given a health exam during the collaring process and appears to be in good health," said CPW Terrestrial Section Manager Brian Dreher.
"The second GPS collar in this pack will allow our biologists and wildlife managers to learn more about the behavior of these naturally migrating wolves," said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow.
The first two numbers (22) indicate the year the animal was captured. The second set of numbers inform biologists of the wolf’s gender (males will have odd numbers, females will have even) and the order in which it was collared.
CPW said that while collars provide valuable information, they only provide a snapshot and are not monitored in real time. The primary tools used by wildlife officers are field observations of physical evidence such as wolf prints and scat during field investigations.
CPW also encourages the public to use its wolf sighting form if they see a suspected wolf. Any personal observations, photos or videos taken can help inform CPW staff and fill in the gaps as to wolf activity in the state.
Gray wolves remain a State Endangered species, and wolves may not be taken for any reason other than human self-defense. CPW said an illegal take of a wolf may result in a combination of penalties, including fines of up to $100,000, a year of jail time, and a lifetime loss of hunting license privileges.
RELATED: Ranchers, wildlife officers work on solutions after wolves kill cows and dog in Jackson County
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Animals and Wildlife
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.