Will Wolverines Be Reintroduced in Colorado?

Coloradans are used to seeing all kinds of unique wildlife, including elk, moose, mountain lions, and bears. An animal we don't come across, however, is the wolverine, which is because they were extirpated from Colorado in 1919.

The idea of bringing them back into the state has been circulating since 2010, but recently, Colorado's First Gentleman Marlon Reis gave his support on the reintroduction of wolverines.

Get our free mobile app

According to wildlife officials, Colorado’s high elevation and rugged terrain were and are good wolverine habitat. The reintroduction plan would involve releasing the wolverines in Colorado at elevations of 7,000 feet or above, which is what they prefer. The animals have huge territories and can travel up to 300-plus miles.

Wolverines are considered to be the rarest mammal in North America and are the largest member of the weasel family. They are mainly found in Canada and Alaska, but smaller populations do exist in other states such as Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. They are elusive and solitary animals that typically have a lifespan of around six to ten years in the wild. Wolverines eat things like rodents, reptiles, fish, and birds, which there are plenty of in Colorado's high country. On the other side of the spectrum, bears, wolves, and cougars all prey on these mid-sized mammals.

Since they are so rare, it'd be pretty cool to see wolverines eventually make a comeback in the Centennial State.