Colorado to stop search for wolf pup left alone after state officials captured rest of pack

Colorado wildlife officials will let a lone wolf pup fend for itself after failing to capture it with its parents and four siblings, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Friday afternoon.

“With declining temperatures, CPW has made the decision to conclude the capture portion of this operation for the safety of the wolf pup,” the agency said in a news release.

The 6-month-old pup should be able to hunt small animals like rabbits and squirrels, according to the release.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife leaders decided in August to round up the Copper Creek pack after a series of livestock killings near its den site outside Kremmling. Over two weeks, biologists trapped and relocated the two parents and four pups to a secure facility. The adult male wolf died after capture, though agency leaders have said it appears the wolf died of wounds from before it was captured.

Wildlife officials believed they had captured all of the wolf pups but on Sept. 20 learned of a fifth pup that remained wild.