Collared Wolf Reintroduced in Colorado Killed Legally in Wyoming After Livestock Deaths

The wolf, part of Colorado's reintroduction program, was killed by federal agents in Wyoming, where wolves lack federal protections, after being linked to the deaths of five sheep.

• The wolf, identified as male 2505-BC, was reintroduced to Colorado from Canada in January 2025 as part of a voter-driven conservation effort.
• Federal agents from the USDA's Wildlife Services killed the wolf on March 15, 2025, in Wyoming after it was suspected of killing five sheep on private land.
• Evidence such as bite marks, tracks, and carcasses consistent with wolf depredation confirmed the wolf's involvement in the sheep killings.
• Unlike in Colorado, most of Wyoming designates wolves as 'predatory animals,' allowing them to be killed year-round without a license.
• The incident has reignited debates over the challenges of managing reintroduced wolves across state lines and balancing conservation with livestock protection.

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