WATCH: New Colorado wolf pups captured on video as CPW names three newly formed packs

Colorado s newest wolf packs now have official names and they ve produced at least four new pups that are now trotting around Routt County The three new packs are the One Ear pack in Jackson County the King Mountain pack in Routt County and the Three Creeks pack in Rio Blanco County Colorado Parks and Wildlife says The packs join the Copper Creek pack which formed in and was the first in the state created by reintroduced wolves State functionaries are still trying to confirm the number of pups born this spring stated Eric Odell the wolf conservation undertaking manager during a Thursday CPW Commission meeting Odell did not provide a minimum number of pups observed from all of the packs but he commented at least four pups have been spotted with the King Mountain Pack The agency has cameras placed near each pack s den and continues to monitor them he commented Pups are just inherently demanding to monitor this time of year Odell reported They re small and up until now have been tied close to the den in deep cover An average wolf litter has between four and six pups about half of which will survive the year Odell declared Pups from the King Mountain Pack were captured on contest cameras deployed by CPW A video from June exhibited three of the pups playing in a forested area The pups were likely born in April and are now likely weaned Odell reported but are still too small to voyage with their parents This reproduction is really key it s a really key point in the restoration of wolves to the state he commented Despite several things you might hear not all aspects of wolf management have been a failure Ranching groups for more than a year have criticized CPW and have alleged that prevention programs were not fully operational before the agency distributed the first round of reintroduced wolves Coloradans in narrowly voted to restore the native canines with a great number of urban voters casting their ballots in favor of the effort and rural voters opposing it CPW published wolves in December and in January Related Articles Colorado s Copper Creek wolf pack with new pups in tow is under scrutiny again after cattle killings Rancher compensation Don t cry wolf without the facts Letters Where are Colorado s wolves Latest map shows pull back from southwestern region Boebert s bill to delist gray wolves not surprising given her little hats comment Opinion Wolf depredation The tie should go to the ranchers Letters Also during Thursday s meeting commissioners voted to pay two Grand County ranches a total of for missing calves decreased conception rates and one killed calf that were attributable to wolves The state will pay to the Farrell Ranch for missing calves That payment adds to a payment approved by the commission in March for livestock killed by wolves in spring as well as for lower conception rates and lower calf weights caused by the presence of wolves on the ranch The Coberly Creek Ranch will receive for a killed calf for decreased conception rates and for missing cattle CPW recommended denying the Farrell Ranch claim and the Coberly Creek Ranch s claim for missing animals but the commission overrode the staff recommendation and voted to pay both ranches their full states Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter The Spot