What’s the greatest threat to Colorado’s elk population? Habitat loss, climate change, chronic wasting disease or wolves?
According to many Colorado hunters, the answer is “wolves.” I recently heard this opinion yet again, and it seems that no information to the contrary can shake what is a deeply-held but misguided belief.
Fearing that wolves will negatively effect elk hunting opportunities seems to be more of a cultural position than an objective conclusion. There’s simply no compelling evidence to support it.
There is, however, plenty of evidence to show otherwise. Official wildlife agency statistics show there are more elk today in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming than when wolves were reintroduced in the northern Rockies 30 years ago. Not surprisingly, hunter success and license income continues to be steady.
These facts can easily be verified at the respective state agency websites.
Leaving aside for the moment that habitat loss and climate change are serious problems, if there’s a lurking “boogeyman” threatening Colorado’s elk, it’s not wolves but Chronic Wasting Disease.
CWD is spreading across the state, sickening deer, elk and moose. Wolves can actually become our best ally in the fight against it. Having many times the olfactory acuity of humans, and a prey selection focus on weaker individuals, wolves can detect and remove infected animals, helping to limit the disease.
This has been just one of the vital ecological roles of wolves for tens of thousands of years. For the sake of Colorado’s elk population, let’s give them every opportunity to continue that good work.
Clint McKnight
Durango
