Durango, CO. Today, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, with the support of collaborators, announced the launch and establishment of the Colorado Wolf Reward. This standing reward will compensate individuals who step forward to share information leading to formal charges against anyone who illegally kills a wolf in Colorado.
Federal and Colorado laws protect gray wolves, prohibiting the killing of wolves except under exceptional circumstances, as described in the Federal 10(J) rule and accompanying state implementing regulations. Currently, Colorado’s Operation Game Thief (OGT) program offers a monetary incentive for informants to share information on poaching incidents, including a $500 reward for endangered species.
The OGT Citizens Committee administers these program funds, which are supported by private contributions, and may approve rewards up to $1,000 for flagrant cases. We hope that the Colorado Wolf Reward will increase the fiscal incentive for the public to engage in reporting incidents of wolf poaching.
The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project believes that increasing the funds available for responding to the illegal killing of wolves is necessary to raise the profile of wolf protection in the state and preempt targeted violence towards wolves during the initial stages of the reintroduction process to support law enforcement efforts.
The Colorado Wolf Reward currently stands at $50,000 and will complement rewards OGT might issue. The Colorado Wolf Reward merges pledges from private and organizational entities, including, among others, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, Wolf and Wildlife Advocates, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, Sacred Wolf Foundation, and Lockwood Animal Rescue Center.
“In other states, like Oregon, state and federal agencies embrace NGO-funded rewards and all parties work side-by-side to complement and enhance incentives to bring perpetrators of crimes to justice.” stated Courtney Vail, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project’s Board Chair. “We hope for the same collaboration in Colorado.”
“While enforcement of, and imposition of penalties under, the law (i.e., fines, revocation of hunting privileges, or jail time) are probably the most effective deterrents to illegal activities, we believe that rewards may incentivize the public to ‘say something’ if they ‘see something’ regarding wolf poaching,” she continued.
“By establishing and announcing the Wolf Reward, we hope to preempt those seeking to harm wolves as reintroduction unfolds and as wolves navigate their future among Colorado’s public and private landscapes,” said Vail.
“The Lockwood Animal Rescue Center is proud to be part of this initiative to ensure additional protections for wild wolves – our national treasure,” stated Dr. Lorin Lindner, President of Lockwood Animal Rescue Center.
“The Wolf and Wildlife Advocates organization is proud to support this initiative. With neighboring states like Wyoming legally practicing the torture of wolves, it is essential to incentivize wolf protection in Colorado and ensure it becomes a safe home for these magnificent creatures to thrive in the wild,” stated Kim Bean, President of Wolf and Wildlife Advocates.
“Sacred Wolf Foundation is grateful to be able to contribute to the protection of our wild canids who have given us so much. It is our hope that the people of Colorado will proudly assume their role as stewards of the Earth and collectively protect one of our many sacred creatures–the wolf.”—Sacred Wolf Foundation.
The Wolf Reward will work with the existing tip hotline established by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), encouraging the public to report incidents involving the harming or killing of wolves. The Federal Endangered Species Act and Colorado state statutes and regulations prohibit harassing, harming, or killing wolves.
CPW can prosecute violators under civil or criminal statutes, with fines up to $100,000, up to one year in jail, and loss of hunting privileges. Upon conviction, the CPW Commission may suspend any or all hunting license privileges of the person for a period ranging from one year to life.
Fines under federal law include a maximum fine of up to $50,000 and up to one year in jail. Individuals can leave anonymous tips or identify themselves when providing their reports on the incident. They do not have to testify in court. Citizens can call toll-free within Colorado at 1-877-COLO-OGT, Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT, or contact CPW via email at game.thief@state.co.us
All contributors to the Colorado Wolf Reward look forward to supporting CPW’s Office of Law Enforcement and the OGT Citizens Committee on this important endeavor to provide wolves with added protection at this critical juncture as they become established in Colorado.
