Welcome to the Party – Colorado Ranchers Now Dealing with Wolves
Stop me if you've heard this story before, but ranchers are trying to deal with wolves thinning their herds. Wyoming ranchers have been fighting this battle for almost 27 years. Now, it's Colorado ranchers that are having to deal with wolves and their livestock.
In case you haven't heard, there's a proposal to reintroduce wolves to Colorado much like what was done in Yellowstone in 1995 that was already approved by voters. The wolves decided not to wait for the formal invitation and KOAA 5 out of Denver shared a story about how they're trying to keep wolves already present to cost them their living.
According to the KOAA 5 report, Colorado ranchers are already feeling the affect of wolves with several seeing cattle killed by the roaming packs. As the one rancher said, electric fences maybe help for a month or two, but eventually the wolves will find a way when they recognize a food source.
It's a hot topic with heated opinions on both sides of the issue. The comments on the YouTube share vary from protect the ranchers to save the wolves. There doesn't appear to be much of a happy medium.
National Geographic argued years ago that the wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone helped "balance the ecosystem". While cheered by conservationists, it's no consolation for ranchers who have herds that become wolf prey. It's likely you'll see the same thing happen in Colorado. As a matter of fact, that argument has already begun.