Two Colorado Wolves Confirmed Dead—One by Trap, One by Predator

The cause of death for a reintroduced gray wolf in Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado has been released. The female gray wolf's collar put out a mortality alert on April 20, 2025.

Mountain Lion Blamed for Wolf's Death

Months later, we are finally learning what happened to this wolf. According to a release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the investigation from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shows that this wolf died from injuries caused by a mountain lion.

READ MORE: [Watch Colorado’s New Wolf Pups Born in the Wild]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife also confirmed the cause of death in another wolf, 2512, in northwest Colorado on May 15, 2025. This female gray wolf died due to secondary trauma from a lawful foothold trap that is used for control of coyotes.

Colorado Law Allows Traps in Limited Cases

Generally, Colorado law prohibits the use of these foothold traps, but some exceptions are allowed. Instances of legal use of the foothold trap include owners of property that is being used for commercial livestock production, or designated agents on the land to use the traps for a 30-day period, if certain criteria are met.

READ MORE: [Colorado Hunters Rely on Tracking Apps to Spot Wildlife]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife did confirm that the criteria for such a trap were met and a 30-day trapping permit was granted.

Get our free mobile app

The trapper notified Colorado Parks and Wildlife that they discovered the wolf in the trap, and agents released gray wolf 2512, and a notification from the GPS collar sent a mortality signal the next day.

Investigation Ongoing in Third Wolf Death

There is still an active investigation into the death of a male gray wolf, 2507, that occurred on May 31, 2025. Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service will not release any more information on the death of this wolf until the investigation is complete.