A bipartisan effort is underway in Colorado, aiming to reintroduce wolverines to the state.

The attempt to formally reintroduce this predator species has spanned decades, having started in 1998, though has yet to be met with success. That may change with the proposed SB24-171, which follows the November 2023 listing of the North American wolverine as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, there was once a viable population of wolverines in the state, but this was last confirmed in 1919. Multiple surveys from 1979 to 1996 revealed no confirmed sightings, though a wolverine was tracked traveling into northcentral Colorado in 2009. As stated in the proposed bill, there are an estimated 300-400 wolverines left in the lower 48 states of America.

The bill that calls for the reintroduction of the wolverine also creates a requirement for the parks and wildlife commission to adopt rules for compensation of owners of livestock for potential impacts of the wolverine.

Livestock depredation by wolverines are rare, though in one Utah instance, the attack of 18 sheep was attributed to a wolverine, with some of those sheep being killed. It’s worth noting that while wolverines generally consume small rodents, rabbits, birds, fish, plants, and carrion, they have been known to kill large ungulates when those animals are weakened and bogged down in snow during winter months.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says that Colorado has the potential to support roughly 100 wolverines at full carrying capacity, with the species naturally existing in low numbers wherever they are found – it’s worth noting that the proposed bill notes a higher potential carrying capacity of 180. In general, the animal needs large areas of cold and rocky habitat to thrive with large roaming areas and a mostly solitary life. Most of the Centennial State land of this nature would consist of high-elevation public lands.

If the bill is ultimately passed, it would call on Colorado Parks and Wildlife to design, implement, and lead a science-based reintroduction plan. Reasons stated in the bill for the reintroduction include protecting and enhancing the state’s biodiversity. Wolverines tend to serve as a sort of ‘clean-up crew,’ as a unique mammal scavenger and predator.

Republican State Senator Perry Will and Democrat State Senator Dylan Roberts along with State Representative Barbara McLachlan and State Representative Tisha Mauro – both Democrats – are behind the push.

Wolverines have a reputation for their bravery, known to fight off much larger predators, including bears, despite only weighing up to 40 pounds. They are generally not a threat to humans.

The wolverine reintroduction bill has a status of being proposed and is under consideration. More details will follow in weeks to come.

A wolverine. Photo Credit: Nazzu (iStock).

Nazzu