Wolverines are making a grand comeback to Colorado, courtesy of a bipartisan bill that may soon paint a snowy portrait with dashes of brown and black fur after a century-long absence.
Photo by Vincent van Zalinge from Unsplash
As announced by Colorado lawmakers on Monday, a new bipartisan bill aims to reintroduce North American wolverines to the state after their local extinction over 100 years ago according to Rocky Mountain Wild. This effort is led by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and seeks to address the past devastations caused by unregulated trapping and poisoning that erased wolverines from the local fauna.
The bill, known as SB24-171, was introduced by a mix of both Republican and Democratic legislators, indicating a strong, bipartisan support for the wolverine’s return. Colorado’s uniquely snowy and cold high alpine habitats provide an ideal, though shrinking, refuge for the wolverines, making this effort crucial as these areas are threatened by climate change. With an estimated 7 million suitable acres awaiting them, Colorado stands out as a critical sanctuary in the lower 48 states.
This initiative isn’t just about restoring a species but revitalizing a symbol of wilderness connectivity. As noted by Michael Dax from Wildlands Network, wolverines represent the need for large, intact landscapes for wildlife sustainability. Colorado’s action embodies hope for a species that epitomizes rugged survival in harsh climates. Here’s hoping these marvelous creatures make their heroic return!