Wolves have been blamed for the deaths of three lambs in northwest Colorado.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a wildlife officer responded to a report from a rancher of a potential wolf depredation incident on the morning of November 17 in southern Jackson County. Results of the investigation were that the wounds found on the lambs were consistent with those of a wolf attack. Evidence of hemorrhaging also indicated that the attack occurred while the lambs were alive and that they were not killed by something else and scavenged after their deaths.

In Colorado, livestock determined to be killed by gray wolves is eligible for reimbursement from the state, as well as animals used for guarding and herding purposes.

Assuming that wolves were indeed behind this attack, they are likely part of a pack known to be roaming in northern Colorado, having naturally migrated from Wyoming originally. While wolves are set to be formally reintroduced to Colorado prior to the end of the year, this effort hasn’t started yet.

Wolf depredation on livestock has been one of the concerns expressed by many ranchers on the Western Slope related to the formal reintroduction of the predator to the Centennial State landscape. In Colorado, the killing of wolves is strictly prohibited unless it’s act of self-defense – though this will open up a bit on December 8, when the killing of wolves involved in depredation of livestock will be discouraged, but allowed.