The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confirmed the causes of death for two gray wolves in Colorado.
Female wolf 2514 died in April in Rocky Mountain National Park from injuries caused by a mountain lion.
Another female, wolf 2512, died in May in northwest Colorado after being caught in a lawful foothold trap meant for coyotes.
The trap was permitted under a 30-day exception for livestock producers, and the wolf was released after discovery—but died the next day.
No charges will be filed, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife has since suspended the issuance of similar trapping permits statewide.
A third wolf, male 2507, also died in May, but that investigation is ongoing.
Officials note that despite these incidents, wolf survival rates remain within normal expectations for the Rocky Mountains, where the average lifespan is three to four years.
