Now that wildlife officials confirmed the existence of an active wolf pack in Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners are calling on environmentalists who authored a ballot initiative to forcibly introduce wolves into Colorado to scrap it.
“Just as predicted, wolves are making their way into Colorado on their own. This measure is pointless and will only lead to wasted taxpayer dollars and increased bureaucracy,” said Chad Vorthmann, Colorado Farm Bureau executive vice president. “The proponents should let mother nature work its magic, stop trying to impose their will on the natural world, and retract their ballot measure.”
“I think it (the verification of active wolf pack) should persuade people to oppose the initiative,” Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer, told 5280. “We certainly are.”
The ballot initiative is an unfunded mandate that, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), would cost Colorado taxpayers nearly $6 million by year-eight of introduction. CPW already has a management plan in place for naturally migrating wolves.
Colorado is home to nearly 17,000 RMEF members and 28 chapters.
“A forced introduction of wolves to Colorado would redirect already limited state wildlife management staff and resources,” added Henning.
RMEF is a member and supporter of Coloradans Protecting Wildlife.
Go here to read the news release in its entirety.
(Photo source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)