CPW releases necropsy of gray wolf that died in South Routt County

February 27, 2026 Shannon Lukens

By Shannon Lukens.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released the details on gray wolf 2305 that died Jan. 28, when CPW was trying to capture it to re-collar it. It was a three-year-old breeding male from the King Mountain Pack in South Routt County. The collar was being changed because of low batteries.

A press release today concludes the wolf died from complications of being captured that “led to acute cardiogenic shock which could have been exacerbated by several different factors including hyperthermia, exertional/capture myopathy, respiratory distress or drug reaction.”

It says wolf 2305 was pursued for about three minutes and it was not panting in any abnormal way, or showing obvious signs of distress. It was captured at the same time as the breeding female of the King Mountain Pack, after one of the pups was captured.

CPW’s handling crew took temperatures of both adult wolves. “2305 was noted to be very hot compared to the breeding female (105.8 degrees F versus 101.4 degrees F).”

As CPW staff tried to lower the body temperature of 2305, it “was checked for respirations and a pulse, of which neither were detected. CPW’s handling crew immediately began to attempt to revive the animal.”

A wildlife veterinarian eventually arrived and she confirmed respiratory and cardiac arrest. Emergency drugs were administered but the wolf was pronounced dead.

More details are below in the press release.

Wolf 2305 was a wolf from the Noregaard pack in Oregon, that was released on Dec. 18, 2023, as part of Colorado’s gray wolf restoration program. This is the 12th wolf that has died of the 25 that were brought to Colorado.

Press Release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife; Feb. 27, 2026.

Necropsy and mortality narrative for gray wolf capture mortality completed

February 27, 2026

DENVER – A CPW-conducted necropsy has confirmed that gray wolf 2305 died from capture-related complications during collaring operations on public lands on January 28, 2026. These complications led to acute cardiogenic shock which could have been exacerbated by several different factors including hyperthermia, exertional/capture myopathy, respiratory distress or drug reaction.

An independent third-party veterinary pathologist was in attendance for the necropsy and confirmed all exam results.

“As we said shortly after this mortality occurred, all wildlife capture operations come with a risk and while we meticulously prepare and take every precaution to ensure a positive outcome, there is always the possibility, even if small, that the worst happens,” said CPW Director Laura Clellan. “Our staff and contractors carefully followed CPW Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) guidelines during this operation, and by all accounts the capture process was not abnormal nor suggestive of this level of stress response from the animal.”

As outlined in the mortality narrative, locating, pursuing, capturing, securing, and transportation of gray wolf 2305 to CPW’s handling crew occurred concurrently with the capture of the breeding female in the King Mountain Pack (and after a pup was captured). These aspects of the operation lasted approximately 24 minutes, with the pursuit time of 2305 being approximately 3 minutes.

During the capture, 2305 was not panting in any abnormal way (i.e., no obvious signs of distress were observed) and the entire process was noted as short and benign by the capture crew. 2305 was darted in the muscle in the upper left hind leg, an appropriate location to place a dart.

When delivered to CPW’s handling crew at the processing location, as standard practice, temperatures were taken of both adult wolves. 2305 was noted to be very hot compared to the breeding female (105.8 degrees F versus 101.4 degrees F).

CPW staff immediately initiated measures to attempt to lower the body temperature for 2305. The temperature of the breeding female was not of concern.

While 2305’s temperature was being taken and cooling measures were initiated, 2305 was checked for respirations and a pulse, of which neither were detected.

CPW’s handling crew immediately began to attempt to revive the animal.

Approximately 20 minutes after 2305 was delivered to CPW’s initial handling crew, a secondary crew including CPW’s wildlife veterinarian arrived and she confirmed respiratory and cardiac arrest. In addition to attempts to revive 2305 prior to the arrival of the secondary crew, CPW’s wildlife veterinarian then administered emergency drugs intended to increase heart rate while CPR was performed. When no pulse or respirations — as well as a lack of corneal and pupillary reflex — were confirmed, CPR was ceased and the animal pronounced dead.

The animal was delivered to CPW’s Wildlife Health Laboratory on the evening of Jan. 28 and the necropsy was conducted on the afternoon of Jan. 29. CPW received permission to conduct the necropsy (instead of at a federal facility) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help expedite the process.

“The female and male wolves were in close proximity to each other during the capture operation,” said Clellan. “Our staff have combed through every detail to try to determine why the male wolf died while the female wolf had no issues. The evidence and facts within the reports still don’t definitively point to a specific reason why the male wolf experienced such a high level of distress. We have a top notch professional team, and this situation has been tough on everyone involved. I have the utmost confidence in our staff and we will continue to work hard to achieve our mandate of restoring a sustainable population of gray wolves in Colorado.”

In addition to the capture of 2305, the breeding female and a pup in the King Mountain pack were successfully captured and collared during this operation. Monitoring indicates that these two are still traveling together.

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Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado

Feb. 27, 2026 — CPW releases necropsy of gray wolf that died in South Routt County
Feb. 10, 2026 — Jackson County rancher talks about losing his dog, Scout, to wolves
Feb. 9, 2026 — Facebook Post: The Confirmed Gray Wolf Depredation Information page is reporting a new wolf kill.
Feb. 3, 2026 — A wolf died in Routt County, while being collared by CPW on Jan. 28
Jan. 27, 2026 — Applications being accepted to promote awareness for Born to be Wild License Plate
Jan. 21, 2026 — CPW says no wolves will be translocated to Colorado this winter
Jan. 20, 2026 — Another wolf from British Columbia has died
Jan. 6, 2026 — Former CPW Director headed to Wyoming Fish and Game
Dec. 17, 2025 — Grand County Commissioners sent letter to Gov. Polis about the wolf re-released in their county
Dec. 11, 2025 — Wolf from the Copper Creek Pack is returned to Colorado after traveling to New Mexico
Nov. 25, 2025 — Jeff Davis is stepping down as Executive Director for Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Nov. 7, 2025 — Another wolf introduced to Colorado from British Columbia has died
Oct. 14, 2025 — Two more ewes killed in Rio Blanco County by a wolf or wolves
Sept. 9, 2025 — Cause of death determined for wolf that died in May in Northwest Colorado
Aug. 27, 2025 — Petition organizers to put a stop to wolf reintroduction pause the campaign
Aug. 26, 2025 — Search for uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is discontinued
Aug. 21, 2025 — Plaster casts have been made of wolf paw prints in Jackson County
Aug. 20, 2025 — Gov. Polis’ office and CPW respond to proposed Wolf Bill in Special Session
Aug. 19, 2025 — Colorado legislators to introduce a bill to put a pause on wolf introductions, to help with the budget
Aug. 9, 2025 — Dead cow discovered by range riders in Pitkin County
Aug. 6, 2025 — Another gray wolf has been killed in Wyoming
August 5, 2025 — CPW confirms uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is a “chronic depredator”
July 30, 2025 — Jackson County Rancher says the One Ear Pack has 10 wolves in it
July 27, 2025 — Meet a Colorado Range Rider – Shelby Neiberger
July 24, 2025 — CPW reports wolf activity in this month’s watershed map
July 17, 2025 — CPW updates the four wolf packs in Colorado and settles claims for missing livestock
July 8, 2025 — CPW Commission and staff discuss Copper Creek Pack
July 6, 2025 — Holy Cross Cattlemen ask CPW for Chronic Depredation Permit
July 3, 2025 — CPW Commission receives a new letter about the Copper Creek Pack of wolves
June 30, 2025 — CPW officials discuss wolves at with Colorado State Legislators at State Capitol
June 27, 2025 — CPW releases this year’s Colorado Gray Wolf Annual Report
June 24, 2025 — Colorado Cattlemen hear of new wolf petition being presented to CPW
June 2, 2025 —Another wolf has died
May 30, 2025 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills a wolf from the Copper Creek Pack
May 16, 2025 —A gray wolf from British Columbia has died in Northwest Colorado
April 24, 2025 — Another gray wolf from British Columbia has died
April 11, 2025, Media Statement: Colorado Gray Wolf 2513 Mortality in Wyoming
March 29, 2025 — Wolf in Jackson County may be heading to Wyoming
March 28, 2025 — Wolf in Jackson County meets three Livestock Guardian Dogs
March 27, 2025 — Day 12 and the wolf keeps showing up each night at the same Jackson County ranch
March 24, 2025 — Wolf spotted on game cam in Jackson County
March 22, 2025 — Ballot initiative to end wolf introduction by 2026 has been filed
March 20, 2025 — A gray wolf recently introduced to Colorado has been killed in Wyoming
March 19, 2025 — CPW confirms a wolf attack on a dog in Jackson County
March 5, 2025 — CPW Commission talks wolves and how “we have to get past this point of constant contention”
Feb. 14, 2025 — Jackson County Rancher says CPW has confirmed a wolf kill of his cow
Feb. 13, 2025 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife updates wolf movements and more
Jan. 19, 2025 — Twenty wolves have been released in Eagle and Pitkin counties
Jan. 16, 2025 — Here is how you can become a Range Rider
Jan. 15, 2025 — Colorado legislators are told that CPW agents are being threatened
Jan. 12, 2025 — New wolves may have arrived from British Columbia
Jan. 11, 2025 — Up to 15 new gray wolves from British Columbia will be in Colorado within two weeks
Jan. 8, 2025 — Video of the CPW Commission vote, denying the Wolf Citizen Petition
Jan. 7, 2025 — Ag producers on Ad Hoc Wolf Working Group speak out before Wednesday’s CPW Commission meeting
Jan. 7, 2025 — STATE LEGISLATORS DISCUSS WOLVES AND THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jan. 2, 2025 — A reward is offered for the person who shot a gray wolf in Grand County
Dec. 31, 2024 — Producers submit three wolf depredation claims for over $575,000
Dec. 23, 2024 — CPW releases definition and stipulations of Chronic Depredation and Lethal Management of wolves
Dec. 21, 2024 — CPW says they’ll recommend denying petition request for delaying next introduction of wolves
Dec. 9, 2024 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has started the operation to bring 15 gray wolves to Colorado from British Columbia
Nov. 14, 2024 — Wolf Update — November 14, 2024
Nov. 3, 2024 — A collared wolf has crossed I-70 to the south, for the first time
Nov. 3, 2024 — CPW responds to requests from Club 20 about Wolf Reintroduction
Oct. 15, 2024 — Livestock producers have access to livestock protection dogs for free from USDA
Oct. 11, 2024 — Fifth wolf pup has not been captured
Oct. 8, 2024 — CPW Commission gets another letter asking to pause wolf reintroduction
Oct. 6, 2024 — CPW Commission hears wolf updates at meeting
Sept. 30, 2024 –– A 5th wolf pup is spotted in Grand County and will be captured by CPW
Sept. 30, 2024 — Colorado Ag Organizations petition CPW Commission before further wolf releases happen
Sept. 26, 2024 — No producers show for first Non-Lethal Wolf Conflict Reduction Training Meeting
Sept. 23, 2024 — CPW confirms a cow and a calf killed by wolves in Grand County
Sept. 16, 2024 — The Wolf Conflict Reduction program is hiring two field specialists
Sept. 14, 2024 — The next set of wolves coming to Colorado will be from Canada
Sept. 13, 2024 — Middle Park Stockgrowers ask CPW not to release any more wolves there
Sept. 12, 2024 — Another wolf is dead in Grand County
Sept. 10, 2024 — Grand County ranchers are reporting more wolf kills
Sept. 9, 2024 — The Copper Creek Wolf Pack has been captured and CPW says the adult male was unhealthy and has died
Sept. 9, 2024 –– Ranchers with the most wolf depredations ask U.S. Fish & Wildlife to take over wolf management
Aug. 27, 2024 — The Copper Creek Wolf Pack is getting rounded up and relocated
Aug. 23, 2024 — CPW confirms the next wolves introduced will again be in Northern Colorado
July 31, 2024 — Eight more sheep confirmed killed by wolves in Grand County
July 31, 2024 — Colville Tribe says they won’t send wolves to Colorado now
July 29, 2024 — Two more sheep die from wolves in Grand County
June 24, 2024 — CPW REPORTS LESS WOLF ACTIVITY IN ROUTT AND NONE IN MOFFAT
June 20, 2024 — WOLF PUP CONFIRMED IN GRAND COUNTY
June 19, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS SOUTH ROUTT WOLF KILL
June 17, 2024 — PRODUCER REPORTS SUSPECTED WOLF KILL IN SOUTH ROUTT COUNTY
June 16, 2024 — CPW DIRECTOR JEFF DAVIS ANSWERS QUESTIONS AT JACKSON COUNTY GATHERING
June 13, 2024 — CPW TO FORM WORKING GROUP REGARDING WOLF RESTORATION
June 12, 2024 — NORTH PARK PRODUCER WHO LOSES CALF SPEAKS OUT
June 10, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS ANOTHER WOLF DEPREDATION IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEKEND
June 5, 2024 — Wolf Video posted from Grand County
May 26, 2024 — DON GITTLESON SAYS ANOTHER CALF HAS BEEN KILLED BY WOLVES ON HIS RANCH
May 15, 2024 — HERE’S THE LATEST LETTER TO MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS FROM CPW DIRECTOR DAVIS
May 14, 2024 — Suspected mountain lion kills the collared wolf
May 6, 2024 — MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS SEND EIGHT-PAGE LETTER TO CPW
April 30, 2024 — GRAND COUNTY RANCHERS TO GET HELP WITH PROTECTING THEIR LIVESTOCK
April 30, 2024 — NORTH PARK STOCKGROWERS SEND ANOTHER LETTER TO CPW AND GOV. POLIS
April 28, 2024 —ANOTHER WOLF KILL IN GRAND COUNTY SUNDAY
April 24-2024 — COLLARED GRAY WOLF ACTIVITY MAP RELEASED FOR APRIL
April 23, 2024 — A WOLF HAS DIED, AND MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS HEAR FROM CPW
April 22, 2024 — MULTIPLE LETTERS SENT TODAY TO GOVERNOR POLIS AND CPW ASKING FOR ACTION ON WOLVES
April 18, 2024 — FOUR MORE HEAD OF LIVESTOCK KILLED BY WOLVES IN GRAND COUNTY
April 9, 2024 — AG PRODUCERS MEET WITH CPW OFFICIALS IN KREMMLING ABOUT WOLVES
April 8, 2024 — ANOTHER CALF KILLED BY A WOLF OR WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY
April 3, 2024 — A WOLF OR WOLVES HAVE KILLED A NEWBORN CALF IN GRAND COUNTY
April 3, 2024 — Denver 7 Calf killed in first confirmed report of gray wolf depredation since wolves were released in December
Feb. 29, 2024 — COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE OFFICIALS COME TO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS TO TALK WOLVES
Jan. 30, 2024 — CPW SENDS UPDATE ON WOLF SIGHTINGS SINCE 2004, AND MORE ON THE MAP
Jan. 24, 2024 — ELECTED OFFICIALS GRILL DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CPW AT HEARING WEDNESDAY
Jan. 22, 2024 — CPW GETS HARSH LETTER DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM ROBERTS AND MCCLUSKIE
Jan. 19, 2024 — COLORADO’S NEXT WOLVES TO BE REINTRODUCED WILL BE FROM TRIBAL LANDS IN WASHINGTON
Jan. 12, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS WOLVES WERE IN SOUTH ROUTT BUT AREN’T (YET) IN MOFFAT
Dec. 22, 2023 — FIVE MORE WOLVES ARE RELEASED BY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Dec. 22, 2023 — CPW DENIES GITTLESON’S REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT 10(J) RULE ON JACKSON COUNTY WOLVES
Dec. 21, 2023 — THREE OF THE FIVE WOLVES RELEASED IN COLORADO WERE IN PACKS THAT KILLED OR INJURED LIVESTOCK IN OREGON
Dec. 19, 2023 — LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS RECEIVE WOLF UPDATE FROM CPW IN CRAIG MONDAY
Dec. 13, 2023 — GITTLESON SAYS ANOTHER CALF WAS ATTACKED BY A WOLF TODAY
Dec. 11, 2023 — COMPLAINT FILED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT TO STOP WOLF REINTRODUCTION IN COLORADO
Dec. 4, 2023 — KEEP YOUR PETS CLOSE AND CARRY A BIG STICK – CPW HAS ADVICE FOR LIVING WITH WOLVES
Nov. 19, 2023 — THREE LAMBS KILLED BY A WOLF IN JACKSON COUNTY, SAYS RANCHER
Nov. 17, 2023 – CPW AND CDA ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO WORK TOGETHER ON WOLF REINTRODUCTION
Nov. 7, 2023 – U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SETS DATE FOR 10J RULE FOR WOLVES
Oct. 6, 2023 – COLORADO WILL RECEIVE WOLVES FROM OREGON
May 16, 2023 – POLIS VETOES 10J RULE WOLF BILL
May 3, 2023 – CPW COMMISSION APPROVES FINAL WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
May 2, 2023 – MANAGEMENT OF GRAY WOLVES REINTRODUCTION BILL PASSES IN STATE HOUSE
May 2, 2023 –CPW MEETS THIS WEEK FOR FINAL WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN
April 27, 2023 – CPW CONFIRMS WOLF SIGHTING EAST OF KREMMLING
April 8, 2023 – CPW WOLF COMMISSION MEETS IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
April 3, 2023 – CPW TO PRESENT FINAL DRAFT WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
March 28, 2023 – THE SOUTHERN UTE TRIBE ASKS THAT CPW RELEASES WOLVES ALONG I-70 CORRIDOR
March 15, 2023 – TWO DOGS DIE FROM WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEK
March 3, 2023 –COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION RELEASES WOLF REINTRODUCTION MEETING RECAP
Feb. 21, 2023 —WOLF 2101 RECAPTURED AND RECOLLARED IN JACKSON COUNTY
Feb. 21, 2023 —10J RULE MEETINGS WITH REGARDS TO WOLVES SCHEDULED FOR NW COLORADO BY US FISH AND WILDLIFE
Jan. 17, 2023 —STATE LEGISLATORS HEAR MORE ON WOLF REINTRODUCTION AT JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING
Dec. 13, 2022 —MORE WOLVES VISIT GITTLESON PROPERTY IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEK
Dec. 12, 2022 —NORTH PARK RANCHERS MEET WITH CPW REGARDING WOLF REINTRODUCTION PLAN
Dec. 10, 2022 —CPW RELEASES DRAFT COLORADO WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Nov. 19, 2022 —ANOTHER WOLF ATTACK REPORTED IN JACKSON COUNTY
Oct. 9, 2022 —WOLVES ATTACK CALVES IN RIO BLANCO AND JACKSON COUNTIES
July 14, 2022 —CPW UPDATES THE WOLF PACK IN JACKSON COUNTY
June 20, 2022 ––WOLF MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED AT MEETING IN WALDEN
June 15, 2022 —WOLVES IN NORTH PARK ARE SUBJECT AT MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 20
May 30, 2022 —THE GITTLESON RANCH LOSES ANOTHER CALF TO WOLVES, THEY SAY
May 5, 2022 —AT LEAST TWO MORE CALVES KILLED BY WOLVES ON GITTLESON RANCH
May 10, 2022 ––THIRD CALF DIES ON JACKSON COUNTY RANCH; CPW DOES NECROPSY
April 11, 2022 —A NEW LITTER OF WOLF PUPS IS EXPECTED IN JACKSON COUNTY
March 17, 2022 —WOLVES ATTACK ANOTHER DOMESTIC COW IN JACKSON COUNTY
Feb. 10, 2022 – MONTANA STOCKGROWERS VOICE SUPPORT FOR COLORADO RANCHERS OVER THE WOLVES
Feb. 9, 2022 – WOLF MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED BY LOCAL RANCHERS AND OFFICIALS AT FORUM IN STEAMBOAT
Jan. 22, 2022 – WOLF MITIGATION OPTIONS
Jan. 19, 2022 – ANOTHER COW KILLED OVERNIGHT IN NORTH PARK BY WOLVES
Jan. 18, 2022 – TWO MORE COWS ATTACKED BY WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY TUESDAY
Jan. 12, 2022 – CPW ALLOWS WOLVES TO BE HAZED IN EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Jan. 10, 2022 – A WOLF PACK KILL IS REPORTED IN JACKSON COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND
June 9, 2021 – WOLF DEN WITH PUPS CONFIRMED IN NW COLORADO