Colorado Experience: Return of the Wolf

[@dain6250]

I grew up on a ranch and in the country. It's a simple fact of life that you are coexisting with the natural world. You will lose an occasional animal to predators. We lost a toy sized dog our first year to coyotes, and some occasional chickens every few years. So we didn't own toy dog breeds after that. We had Rottweilers, sheep dogs, and hounds to protect our livestock. If farmers and ranchers are afraid of losing animals, they have insurance policies specifically for that, as well as great domesticated animals to protect herds like donkeys and livestock guardian dog breeds. You don't have a right to exterminate an animal that has existed in that environment since before humans were even using stone tools.

[@toeachitsown2050]

Agreed. They need more protection animals and they need to figure out how to coexist

[@dougkuykendall1547]

Agree. Almost 70 and ranched all but a few years of my life. They did not mention modern electric fencing that can be successfully used in most situations. Ranchers must adapt or find another place. I think grazing on government land is coming to an end. It's all about habitat and livestock have to allow some habitat for wildlife as well.

[@toeachitsown2050]

@dougkuykendall1547 "public" land... yup

[@FlatBlackLak]

it's apparent none of ya'll have raised any livestock, and ya'll are from the city. unless you control the development of ya'lls sprawling cities first, there is no point to continue. unless you can introduce them into denver first.

[@jorgegaona8103]

​@@FlatBlackLak When wolves started killing a few of my buddy's cattle. He got himself a handful of Kangals and he hasn't lost any cattle since.

[@huitzilinf_art]

The only issue I had with this video is everytime they say that the introduction of humans decimated wolf populations when that's not true. What they mean to say is European Americans. Humans have been on this continent for at least 30,000 years prior to today.

[@howardloewen1834]

Our world is only about 6,000 years old. Adam and Eve were the first humans.

[@huitzilinf_art]

@@howardloewen1834 That's awesome. I'm not talking about religion.

[@BigGeebus]

@@howardloewen1834you’re kidding right?😅 is this satire?

[@Redstoneprime316]

@@howardloewen1834 Several billion years old*

[@Amidat]

exactly. thanks for making that point.

[@patoteto2]

The rancher saying the wolf would affect the mountain meant to say the wolf would affect her personal interests

[@kristycruz8303]

Right off the bat they claim people didn’t arrive to Colorado until the 1800’s. Come on y’all , don’t erase the native peoples who had been here for thousands of years. All the wolves killed and ranchers getting mad about a cattle dying. Wolves are part of this landscape, period. Cattle and ranchers are the infiltrators who arrived during the land grab. Always take, take, take. Try giving a little💔

[@farginargle]

People are still erasing Native Americans as if they are nothing. There never was anything lesser about them. It's totally nuts, I mean how many people know anything about them? They are/were extremely sophisticated.

[@jefftrahern616]

You should personally buy land and give it to whoever you want!

[@riffdenbow9055]

Cringed so hard when the biologist guy was something like "when people first started to show up in Colorado" referring to people in the late 1800s.

[@Solunaren]

@@riffdenbow9055 That's because they don't view the Native Americans as people or as their equals.

[@Amidat]

native lives don't matter to them... that's how they are.

[@stevefrench3564]

These ranchers talk about how hard it is to get cows to thrive in the high country, because they don't belong there. Meanwhile, they're fighting the reintroduction of a native species.???? logic??

[@DoctorDeathFPS]

They act like the world revolves around their wants and desires!!!

[@kicker6274]

@@DoctorDeathFPS It revolves around our food supply and inflation.

[@Saelor-j5r]

there can only be one apex predator in agribusiness

[@WingWalker1]

​@@DoctorDeathFPSyou mean they don't get to have their voice heard in an interview? Yet yours counts for what exactly?

[@firstinlastout8324]

The ranchers didn’t ask for this and yet you think they don’t have a right to complain? Your vote is hurting their bottom line.

[@GabbyXena100]

That rancher says that they and their ancestors are/were "conservationists". You can't call yourself a conservationist if you eradicate or support the eradication of native animals.

[@hunterroberts4581]

This reintroduction isn’t compatible simply because these wolves are not Native to this region and landscape.

[@NameL3ss71]

this is the most naive and uneducated comment ive read. well done on being inept.

[@Copeharder97]

Let my guess you don’t like in a area like this and never hunted before

[@hunterroberts4581]

@@NameL3ss71 elaborate. These wolves were adapted to a completely different region and environment. They are transplants that possess different behavior and a bad habit of depredation of livestock.

[@hunterroberts4581]

@@Copeharder97 Sounds like you’re one that totally supports wildlife conservation, but hates wildlife management that goes along with it. You’re a walking contradiction.

[@vedacarmony5754]

Bison are needed to balance the American ecosystem. Cattle are no match for wolves but bison are a different story. And maybe eat some beans.

[@riffdenbow9055]

Tastier & healthier for you too!

[@DaMoose13]

@vedacarmony5754 because bison would be too logical and do not negatively affect western Colorado and hunters (which is liberals goal with wolves)

[@riffdenbow9055]

​@@DaMoose13I'm a liberal who voted for wolves & I hunt & I don't see how this will negatively effect hunters as states with wolves have great hunting. I spend a ton of time outdoors & want to see a more restored land.

[@WN_Byers]

@riffdenbow9055 look at Minnesota. Rising wolf populations and heavily declining deer populations.

[@islandbirdw]

@@WN_Byersthat’s mere anecdote and NOT SCIENCE.

[@alanbrooke144]

Interesting, so the lady at 32:20 is basically saying her ranch isn’t suitable for cattle production.

[@MrKimberr]

She was saying that cattle that have lowland genetics needed time to naturally select genes that could carry more red blood cells for the elevation. Like the people of Peru and Nepal, over time have adapted to the elevation and lower oxygen levels.

[@WildlifeChannel-l5z]

Observing wildlife in action is like witnessing nature’s most breathtaking art.

[@MC-uf1ts]

What about using guardian dogs to protect your herds?

[@Amidat]

exactly. that's what humans bred them for many centuries ago. But to answer your question - most don't want to spend the money. they like guns more

[@kyledexheimer6548]

I worked for a wildlife management agency in a state where wolves had come back to. We had grants we put out there for conflict mitigation training that the funds never got spent because people didn't want to learn to live with wolves they just wanted them gone again.

[@salkoharper2908]

My grandmother grew up in mountains of Yugoslavia and my mother would tell me that the Shepherds and Cattle herders all had large dogs that would chase off the wolves if they came near the flocks/herds. People had lived with Wolves in the mountains for countless generations. It is only now in the last few generations some ranchers/shepherds think they can't do it. Then how did our ancestors survive for centuries side by side with wolves?

[@robertwhite5125]

@@Amidatto be fair none of those dog breeds are bred to guard against American wolves. European wolves and American wolves have much different temperaments. It could still be as effective but with American wolves being significantly less fearful, I’m not sure.

[@lukeglover1456]

​@@salkoharper2908completely different wolf species

[@zschow9259]

Only the mind of a lil' kid thinks that the life is made to cater to them and any part of the world they don't like or causes them trouble they have the right to get rid of.

[@terafirethunder6313]

I don’t understand the concept of European Americans deciding what should be here and what shouldn’t be here.

[@Amidat]

yup... it's not just animals they do it with

[@Redstoneprime316]

Hmm, it’s almost like the wolves should be there as they’ve been there for thousands of years. Native species are supposed to be there.

[@JoshTrager-j9g]

​@@Redstoneprime316Exactly.

[@nachios]

@@Amidat their land their rules. deal with it and if u guys have such hatred for them cause they wiped out an animal species and colonized half of the world than it is because they could. go blame ur ancestors who were weak and who would have done the same and showed same ruthless behaviour if they had the power. their are many animals who got extinct even when the natives were living in there.. and talking about natives they also came from somewhere else

[@davidpotter7484]

people born here aren't European Americans. They are by definition, native Americans.

[@rockie307]

In wyoming just outside of yellowstone park where wolves grizz mountain lions roam. Average loss per 1,000 cattle to predators are about 10. Not as big a deal as people make it out to be in reality.

[@masstrapper7645]

Really? How much money do you think that costs? Maybe you should let your children watch a pack drag down a calf in front of its mother so you can enjoy conservation together. Funny how the wolves life matters but the cattle’s do not. Funny distinction for a conservationist.

[@rockie307]

​@masstrapper7645 My daughter has been watching the circle of life since she was 6 or 7. She's seen grizzly literally ripping apart a elk at age 8 and killing and eating her own wild game at 9. Cattle are not native or wild. There farm animals and everything on earth has to eat to survive. I do not feel bad at all for a very small percentage of cattle loss to native Predators. Learn to live with it it's just a small fee for living and ranching in the very few somewhat wild places left in the lower 48. Very few places left in the lower 48 with wilderness left most everything is already ruined. For the last few wild areas left i 100 percent want to conserve so hopefully one day my grandchildren can see and experience them. I'm not against ranching or anything but in some areas especially open range where cattle meet the wilderness there will be some loss and most reasonable ranchers have learned to live with it. It might be hard to believe but for some there's more important things then money and I will not sacrifice the last wild places for more profits.

[@masstrapper7645]

@ I’m all for preservation. But a question I ask is this, imagine for a moment that we could resurrect the T. rex. Would you release it back into its native range? If so why not? It’s got the right to eat and survive in accordance to some views. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be wolves but let’s face it city folks, not country people like ourselves, whom live in nature and therefore understand how the cycle works, are the one whom greatly effect the vote which effects how regulations are written. They vote with they’re hearts and not science based facts. Wolves need to hunted and trapped and there are plenty of so called activists, whom claim to be there for conservation but really are trying to stop hunting. They’re actions result in effects that are exactly the opposite of its intent. So whether or not your child gets to see it most likely city kids won’t, allowing them to see the cycle would go far to helping understand what predation and allowing it to go unchecked can result in. One more thing to look into is the drop in the number of moose elk and deer in Idaho since reintroduction of wolves there. Most species have been devastated by wolves. Now they are trying to restrict trapping and hunting there by using legislation to achieve that end. No real understanding of the consequences though. No real care either. Thanks for the response I appreciate and respect your position.

[@rockie307]

@masstrapper7645 I'm not against wolf hunting or even grizzly hunting where the population is healthy and high enough. Everything needs to be balanced but I will say the game populations in yellowstone park are very healthy and it just so happens to have a lot of Predators as well. The t Rex thing isn't practical we didn't wipe them out in the last couple hundred years like we have alot of other things. We need to do what we can to protect and conserve not only the wildlife but the land itself. So much of the lower 48 has already been spoiled i don't think we should give anymore to the so called progress or profits for any reason. There's plenty of land already ruined no reason to give the big corporations or anyone else any more. Let's save what we have for future generations to hunt fish and enjoy. Once its gone it's gone and very likely to ever come back or be the way it was. Just look across the country at what's already been lost. You will see a big boom in rare earth mineral mining for electronics and electric cars soon. Probably see alot of big corporations try to get into national forests and parks for profit and say it's for progress and jobs. Fact is they will ruin more wilderness or anything just to get richer. They will never be rich enough and will take everything that's allowed. Sad to say but very likely

[@masstrapper7645]

@ something to keep in mind. Change is inevitable. It’s the only thing you can count on. Land conservation is a humans way of saying I don’t want change. But whether we like it or not it’s gonna happen. Ruined compared to what? What it was originally? Pangea was what it was originally. Should we go back to that? It was far hotter then and quite uninhabitable for humans. How long something has been extinct hardly seems relevant. Gone is gone.saber tooth tiger we’re around when moose and deer and elk were around. FYI. With DNA and gene splicing plus AI we aren’t far away from bringing back whatever we like. Like I said city liberals need to see the consequences of there choices in action so they can make better ones in the future. That was what started off this conversation not conservation or what has been. Living in the past means your always looking over your shoulder and you’ll miss what’s right in front of you. Maintaining healthy wildlife populations is what maintains the land your so desperately want to save. It wouldn’t be the same if they weren’t there. I agree thing aren’t the same. I wish I was 20 again but that’s not realistic. So I except what is.

[@victoriatamblyn3692]

Wolves reintroduction balances the ecosystems. Ranchers need to manage they're cattle and coexist.

[@chappy1142]

The rancher couple are breeding cattle for food. They speak to the animals in a baby voice, but they don’t really care about the animals feelings or emotional wellbeing otherwise they wouldn’t be doing this work. Adapt and learn how to coexist with the wolves. Just as how your ancestors forced the natives to adapt to a new life when everything was stripped away from them.

[@sureiseeyou]

100%

[@MrKimberr]

That's false. I've farmed my entire life. You can feel for an animal and treat them with respect while still knowing their purpose in life is to ultimately feed you and the population. By your logic, only sociopaths would farm or ranch? I would almost guarantee you've never even set foot on a farm in your life.

[@desertsolitaire7789]

Wolves are natives. They belong here. Now reintroduce grizzly bears. Also native.

[@johncarter9054]

Then why dont you sell your house and give the money to the Indians you idiot You dont have any idea what you are talking about

[@dnictheone6063]

Yes reintroduce them in Denver and Boulder great places to start with

[@jrmaddock1]

They don't need to be reintroduced as they haven't been eradicated in the area like wolves were.

[@MrMoosekiller31]

Wolves are the only animal that looks after its elders when they get old

[@WN_Byers]

Worry about Trudeau you have your hands full

[@LolaDc7]

I get your point but that behavior isn’t limited to wolves, even amongst k9s.

[@dannywood433]

The cowboys argument isn't really valid, first he sayes its not worth having the wolves introduced because it will stress his cattle to death, then he won't put up flags because it's to much land but it's more logical to have security everywhere 24/7 😂

[@DouglasWolf69]

Wolves should be allowed to return to their ancestral lands .

[@DaMoose13]

They can't. It is full of suburbs.

[@rockymountainwolfproject8988]

@@DaMoose13 Actually, over 70% of western Colorado is federal public land, and hosts the largest elk population in North America (over 300,000 animals), along with over 400,000 head of deer. There's plenty of room and native prey for wolves.

[@Wtz-jx3wh]

@@rockymountainwolfproject8988 if it’s federal land then it should have been a country wide vote to reintroduce wolves.

[@bry10101]

So Denver?

[@debrataylor4509]

​@rockymountainwolfproject8988 The western lands really need a lot fewer elk! Especially a lot fewer cwd animals.

[@AnnikaAceSteele]

Thank you Colorado. Wolves should walk the country free as they once had.. hopefully other states and farmers will see the environmental Impact of having a healthy wolf population return.

[@Caliber-R]

In the early moments of this documentary, Sarajane captured the essence of the situation perfectly when she remarked, “the ranchers are used to being the top predator.” This statement highlights a deeply ingrained cultural mindset that has persisted since the 1800s, passed down through generations like an unbreakable chain. It reflects not only a way of life but also a historical legacy that continues to shape their identity and approach to the land and its resources. Humans, like all predators, have an evolutionary drive to secure resources and eliminate competition. While this instinct is understandable, it’s important to recognize that public lands should not be exclusively utilized for personal cattle ranching. Wild nature is still wild and should remain so . I empathize with ranchers' desire to protect their livestock, as it is vital for their livelihood. For those who enjoy beef, it’s essential to consider where that meat originates. Instead of vilifying ranchers, we can work towards finding balanced solutions that respect both their needs and the shared use of public lands for people and wildlife.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

But that mindset is not necessarily right. The ranchers have no more rights to the land than the animals that live there. If they can't accept the losses they will incur by putting non-native animals in the midst of large predator territory, they should find another location for the livestock or a different way to make a living.

[@Caliber-R]

I’m glad nobody is asking for your opinion. Sheesh

[@toeachitsown2050]

They still are. They need to adapt though

[@Caliber-R]

@ No one said they didn't. Agreed.

[@Amidat]

Compensate the ranchers by giving them livestock guardian dogs. Since the elevation is so high (which is why the probably shouldn't raise cattle there) try Tibetan mastiffs. They are used to fending off huge wolves high up on the Tibetan plateau

[@toeachitsown2050]

I never understood why humans bussed in these weird "cows" to ranch instead of keeping and farming the bison. When I lived in NH, I saw people had bison instead of cattle. They were built for that environment, the meat is healthier and the pelts are useful. I believe they require less water too. Farm more bison?

[@valleone4669]

Less calorically efficient by far

[@granpingu271]

Livestock guardian dogs for the ranchers.

[@LolaDc7]

Bingo, that’s the point of a working dog… to protect the livestock.

[@beccuh3148]

i will never give up on colorado gray wolves

[@tnttub6017]

Welcome back to Colorado dear wolves 🎉

[@JAHblessedness]

Not only was the grey wolf eradicated from their ancestral lands in Colorado so were the Ute Mountain tribes kicked off to Utah after the Meeker fiasco of having him be the reservation agent with no respect for the Utes. Give the Ute Mountain tribes back their ancestral lands on the western slopes while we’re at it.

[@tammyowens1189]

Exactly, hie did these People get this land to begin with? I say give it back.

[@morrisonreed1]

Talk to the guys at ben and jerry .They have a lot of money and could purchase some land

[@Doug-lr1wm]

I wonder if the wolves can help control Chronic Waste Disease in Deer and Elk any ideas?

[@sureiseeyou]

Exactly!! In a lot of areas we are overpopulated with deer which is part of the problem with the diseases.

[@N0ah-96]

They can actually, they cannot contract the disease and have been shown to take down deer and elk with the disease in states that have it which definitely slows the spread and stops the deer from dying of the slow painful decline of the disease

[@BlueskyDenver]

I moved to Colorado a few years ago for my Master's degree and I am amazed to learn about the wolves' repopulation. I just recently voted for ban on killing of bobcats and mountain lions here in Colorado. We have to remember we are taking over these animals natural habitat not the other way around.

[@dasburke]

This is the natural order of these things.

[@spencerfarnik2838]

Humans have been hunting wolves and big cats for thousands of years. It’s part of the natural order of things.

[@spencerfarnik2838]

It cracks me up when sanctimonious people from the city tell us about nature. The people who voted for these savage killers to be forcefully located to Colorado live hundreds of miles away and don’t understand nature and certainly won’t ever see a wolf or be affected by them. If you believe in “the natural order” then forcefully relocating them from their homes is not natural.

[@spencers2420]

That should have never even reached the ballot box. Ballot box biology should never be a thing. It goes against the north american model of wildlife conservation. Leave the science to the biologists.

[@Redstoneprime316]

@@spencerfarnik2838 Wolves are meant to be in Colorado.

[@sawtoothcontracting4389]

They were here before us so they belong here. Read on the tactics used to elimine wolves back in the day in the West and you’ll realize how much more damage was done. I hope they are here to stay.

[@WN_Byers]

They will be banished once again

[@Shane10871]

@@WN_Byers Wolves will be here long after you so cry about it.

[@WN_Byers]

@@Shane10871 doubtful. Nor would I ever weep over a wild animal

[@kicker6274]

There were reasons for it, and we will see them again too.

[@dnictheone6063]

Grey wolf are much larger then the timber wolves that were native to CO, by about 100-120lbs Grey wolves are massive. These "conservation" people should release them by where they live so that those wolves they love so much can eat their pets.

[@tammyowens1189]

Hey Ranchers" You brag Youve been doing this for generations, well Your ancestor's took so much and took from the Natives eco systems, now You want the wolves gone. Raise Bison they are part of this eco system and its better meat.

[@leelindsay5618]

With regenerative ranching, cattle are kept closer together in tighter herds and the herd is moved daily onto fresh pasture and predators don't mess with tight knit herds nearly as much as with herds spaced far apart. So with conventional predation at 10 per 1000 animals in a herd, Regenerative Ranching reduces that to near zero or maybe 1 per 2000 animals in a herd. There are Regen ranchers who report years with zero predation in areas with coyotes, mountain lions, and some also with wolves in the US, Canada, and even in Europe.

[@Perceptual.]

The ranchers are completely delusional. The legislation literally pays them if a wolf kills livestock. Full market value! It doesnt hurt them! It pays them! And it going to make their livestock run and become more healthy! Bring back the bison!

[@MrKimberr]

And do they get paid for a heifer or cow and her probably 8+ calves she will birth in her life, or only her?

[@Perceptual.]

@ read the legislation? Watch the video. It even provides evidence as to how wolves can increase physical acuity and health of the livestock. Why are you so intent on fighting the circle of life, so you wish death on the human race? Whether you want to believe it or hot we are all interconnected and depend one another, yes other species as well.

[@theredflannelchannel7820]

You’re delusional. The payment for one cow is far less than if the cow could live its breeding lifespan.

[@Shane10871]

@@MrKimberr They should protect their cattle then lol. Not my problem.

[@kicker6274]

False, they have to prove that a wolf killed the animal. If they don't find it for a couple of days and get someone out to the site they lose the money, just like what happened a couple of months ago when 8 sheep were confirmed killed and 5 were missing.

[@granpingu271]

Ranchers against wolves should look into live stock guardian dogs. Look into kangals, Caucasian shepherds, central Asian shepherds, akbash, great Pyrenees, Spanish mastiffs. That will help wolf conservation project

[@Elklife719-x5k]

That’s the least of the problem! without millions of bison on the landscape, the wolves turn to elk deer and everything else! They decimate the ecosystem! Wolves point a very primary role back in the day when there was millions of bison that is no longer the case, but I know it hurts your feelings!

[@janbatista9832]

Wolves are Elk hunters

[@Elklife719-x5k]

@@janbatista9832 they are now elk hunters, their primary food source historically has been bison and they played a big role in controlling bison Hurds populations elk hurds are not sustainable with large numbers of wolves as they have found out in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, where the elk populations are being decimated

[@janbatista9832]

@@Elklife719-x5k Wolves eat everything from bison to mice, Elk is definitely on their menu historically

[@Redstoneprime316]

@@Elklife719-x5k “they decimate the ecosystem” no they won’t. Proof: they are a native species. Balanced and decimated an antonyms, not synonyms,

[@caleba411]

Ranchers can just get livestock guardian dogs. We also need to reintroduce moose, bison, and grizzly bears!!!

[@transformingseeds754]

How many of these ranchers are using livestock guardian dogs in and around their operations. Yes, for guarding against wolves more guardian dogs are necessary to be effective. It is only part of the solution. Colorado has set it into law, so remedies are the relevant response.

[@juliereichwein2871]

Wolves are beautiful and belong here in the wild.

[@WilliamEricStone]

I think if anything the worst thing that has happened to the world is humans

[@AlexDuWaldt]

That's like saying the worst thing to happen to the universe is Earth.

[@NameL3ss71]

and your fragile opinion

[@sureiseeyou]

Yup. We are parasites to this planet.

[@kicker6274]

Feel free to do something about it. Lead by example and start with yourself.

[@sureiseeyou]

@kicker6274 it's true. We are parasites to this world.

[@MrDellasc]

California has a couple of grey Wolf Packs now in the Sierra Madres. But they weren’t reintroduced, the packs are believed to have come from Oregon. And not too surprising that ranchers aren’t too happy. You need to include the Ranchers in the process, and that includes compensation for loss of live stock. Other Western States like Montana, Idaho and Wyoming seem to be making work, so Colorado and other states can follow their lead.

[@debrataylor4509]

Colorado ranchers and hunters were included in the process. The groups SAG AND TWIG sound familiar. And speakers asked at almost every meeting for ranchers to prepare with carcass pits, fladry amd getting large, trained dogs!! Nope, no one listened.

[@Reed411]

They were included after the bill was passed. But ranchers are so culturally and politically opposed to wolves that they spent all of their time trying to upend the state statute rather than working on solutions. The had all the opportunity in the world, but decided sit on the ground like a pouty toddler. Even today, they are looking to stall reintroduction to "build a better plan". They don't want a better plan, they just don't want them to be here. As far as I'm concerned, their lack of preparation is on them.

[@LolaDc7]

They’re a problem and their indifference shouldn’t be included in this conservation effort. In fact, if they are included …make them pay for the damage of over grazing on the land and eradicating the animals natural to that environment in the first place.

[@kyke5677]

It's not just ranchers at risk. There are people that live in rural California that might be at risk of attack now. Going outside at night is now a risk it never was before. And when you don't know, that pack of eyes on the hill side are wolves, you couod very easily get murdered by them, with no chance of survival, especially children, disabled people and people without high capacity magazines which happen to be illegal in CA. So... what am I supposed to do? Get eaten by wolves? No thanks. If we are going to have wolves we are going to need high capacity magazine legal in CA.

[@wildwonderjapan]

This is such a meaningful video! 🐺 The reintroduction of wolves to Colorado is not only a vital conservation effort but also has profound impacts on the ecosystem.

[@robertmastnak581]

Give back to nature what is hers.

[@JoshTrager-j9g]

And leave her alone as well! 😤

[@andrewhopkins3005]

Gulliford was my history professor in college! Great guy and a heck of a teacher

[@jgawad]

There is a breed of dog called Caucasian. They are from the Caucasus Mountains and their whole purpose is to protect livestock from wolves. They are absolutely massive powerful dogs and if these ranchers had two or three or four of these dogs guarding their cattle, they would probably never lose an animal.

[@trevorbromidge2076]

The Apex killer is the human.

[@TeresaCha-v5x]

All I’m going to say is that let’s eat less meat!!! These ranchers make it sound like the kettles are there to stay for a long term but these kettles are raised to be killed!!! They care about the kettles bc they are their asset to them!!! MONEY who are you trying to kid???

[@zap...]

Poor poor ranchers. Subsidized in every way possible. And still complaining.

[@Reed411]

Exactly this

[@zachperrego2362]

I hear this a lot on the internet. How exactly do ranchers get subsidized? Yes, they may get reimbursed for killed cattle, but what if they cannot find the dead cattle? Oh yea, they get nothing.

[@ngrader]

@@zachperrego2362 "what if they cannot find the dead cattle?" Then someone needs to call the local rustler, because we got a mark for him.

[@islandbirdw]

The state has to be careful disclosing exact locations. The hatred is real. I would venture to say the majority of the stake holders including the public want them restored to THEIR ancestral lands. Donkeys have been more effective then dogs. They are loud and will run at the predator kicking it until it retreats.

[@joefish4466]

Why don't they use drones to monitor their cattle? Drones that are equipped to scare away predators, when identified? Why not get guardian dogs as was done for centuries? Ranchers are complaining about the cost of doing business as if that's something new or abhorrent. They need to look at the rest of the world. Competition is everywhere and the world is not for the timid or people looking for a free lunch (freeloaders).

[@FreeYourMind-e9h]

but they would be the first to complain about government handouts

[@frenchpotato2852]

They don't sheperd their animals and cry when there's consequences.

[@kicker6274]

And when you go to the grocery store, don't wonder why the price of meat has skyrocketed...

[@surferdog666]

Wolves are a keystone species. When they reintroduced to an area, even the land recovers. They literally have a full impact on everything around them. By controlling the numbers of deer and other prey animals, this also positively impacts growth of land. Ranchers should get livestock guardian dogs. Big ones. They help a hige deal. They stay up all night and can sense any predators coming near.

[@Elklife719-x5k]

So you’re literally telling me you know nothing about Colorados wildlife… our dear numbers are down from 600,000 to 300,000 in the last decade! now you were introduced wolves and try to ban mount lion hunting they’re going to be extinct!

[@Elklife719-x5k]

Look what happened in California when they banned mountain lion hunting their Rams in big horn sheep population are on the brink of extinction! So 👏

[@Redstoneprime316]

@@Elklife719-x5k Wolves won’t cause deer to go extinct,

[@Amidat]

@@Elklife719-x5k wild natural hunters don't make their prey go extinct.

[@Elklife719-x5k]

@ I think certain areas in Idaho would beg to differ with you! People like you that do not live with wolves and have never seen wolves have very strong opinions about people like me who live with wolves on a daily basis. Your opinion is just that it means nothing!

[@cdineaglecollapsecenter4672]

What I don't understand is why they put the wolves in the ranching country in NW Colorado instead of Rocky Mtn. National Park or the San Juans.

[@DaMoose13]

@@cdineaglecollapsecenter4672 politics

[@DaMoose13]

@@cdineaglecollapsecenter4672 politics. They are weaponizing wolf reintroduction

[@mikedared5969]

They ranchers are in wolf country

[@DaMoose13]

@@cdineaglecollapsecenter4672 100% political

[@cdineaglecollapsecenter4672]

@@mikedared5969 So is Denver.

[@tregonzo]

Return the wolf. Compensate ranchers for depredation.

[@shasmi93]

I can hardly survive in this state as is… I think you should pay my higher taxes for these services since all you can suggest is more, more, more tax money.

[@johncarter9054]

How bout we return the wolves back to Canada where they came from eh ?

[@IvanIvanoIvanovich]

These ranchers claim every loss as wolf depredation because they scavenge deaths from accidents and exposure. Why reward bad business practices at our expense as taxpayers?

[@acedoguh60]

They do pay ranchers for lost livestock.

[@dnictheone6063]

Yah with CO taxpayers money

[@SwaveWorm]

First, get tough, ranchers. Nature doesn’t need more cattle. So, wolves did or didn’t affect the ecology where they were reintroduced? I thought they were being given the credit for controlling the number of predators which in turn, helped improving biodiversity? I’m more concerned about the restoration of nature over some ranchers’ insistence on having their way.

[@zachperrego2362]

Talk like this is why we will increasingly need to rely on cattle operations in other lower income countries like Brazil, who also, I might add, have drastically worse quality control and food regulations.

[@hambone4728]

Nature doesn't need cattle but the 335 million people in America need to eat so more land has got to be used to feed them. What you're saying is very naive.

[@LolaDc7]

Exactly. Being honest, humans shouldn’t even eat meat every day… especially beef. But, we over consume and meat packers have marketed their product as an every day necessity.

[@Kazihirom]

I have 400 acres in Kentucky you can reintroduced wolves on.

[@LolaDc7]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@RealMTBAddict]

I have 450 acres in Ohio. Not relevant to the video. Not even the right ecosystem.

[@Kazihirom]

@ there use to be wolves in Ohio and ky until people killed them all

[@RealMTBAddict]

@@Kazihirom Whoa

[@cdineaglecollapsecenter4672]

Especially why NW Colorado after the very bad winter of 22-23 when there was massive elk & deer mortality in that area.

[@DaMoose13]

@@cdineaglecollapsecenter4672 politics

[@monnicaogrady8550]

astute question, thank you. i will pursue this now

[@amybrenneman5904]

Happy to see both sides trying to work together.

[@richclark7475]

Let’s bring back the Grizzlies.

[@Shane10871]

Bring them all back haha

[@stryder909]

I went to the Wolf Wildlife Sanctuary a couple years ago. I got a pic of that one lighter for wild with the broad face.

[@khalilali9378]

Those guys are doing an amazing job… thank you and of course to my favourite tv pps.

[@monatheformerferalcat]

I biked the GDMBR last year and saw wolves, moose and other stuff on the trail. I hear the wolves killing animals sometimes at night. Kind of creepy but happy to be out of grizzly country up north.

[@RealMTBAddict]

Wolves are supposed to keep other animals in check. Otherwise elk will destroy all tree saplings. I also did a section of the GDMBR in 2015, only a 500 mile section. No desire to do the whole thing.

[@jamestoday2239]

We NEED wolves, and we also need to adapt our clumsy and shortsighted ways if we're going to maintain OUR selves as a species.

[@andrewgoorhuis]

The erasure of indigenous history was an unacceptable aspect of an otherwise well balanced and informative video essay. Thank you for reintroducing wolves CO! They are our friends and teachers. I'm happy to say. as someone who's walked the mountains of Colorado and the Great Basin twice, that cattle are incredibly costly to the natural environment, and that the reintroduction of wolves is a step towards wholeness. Here's to the cattle ranchers and an incredible way of life. You are all awesome people with kindness and grace. I'm sorry your way of life is threatened by the balance of nature. The weight of human populace indicates a need to shift to better and more resource mature forms of sustenance. Beans not beef!

[@RobertGray-wf6py]

These ranchers are delusional. Indigenous people are the original ranchers! Bring back wolves, American lions and the cheetah!!!!

[@kyledexheimer6548]

native people killed off the lions and cheetah, so they weren't exactly all in perfect harmony with nature.

[@proudlywild1491]

What those are extinct and we only have bones, we couldn’t even clone them.

[@thatonedog819]

It's literally as easy as having livestock guardian dogs. There's a reason why there's so many different lgd breeds. Predation of livestock plummets when a rancher has then.

[@astrujillo]

Interesting the comment about how wolves may "create environmental change...how much, and where, and when (52:57)'..and yet I wonder how will an introduced species turn back the clock and un-develop the river bottoms that now are covered with homes, ranchettes, highways, shopping malls and ski areas? As humans we are consciously aware that Colorado in 2024 is not the same as Colorado in 1600, and by placing them into this environment, we are being remarkably unfair to the wolves themselves. They've been placed in a situation where their evolutionary predilections are known and yet we 'hope' they'll act according to an unreasonable standard. The ranchers are not the bad guys here, they have been handed a tough situation.

[@luxiivy492]

They didnt mean it that way, they meant it in the other way- Refer to Yellowstone National Park's wolf reintroduction, there are several videos and evidence for how wolves change THOSE KINDS OF LANDSCAPES. They will not be able to undo human-made changes like that.

[@astrujillo]

@@luxiivy492 The landscapes that their primary prey depend on is fractured and those populations are not thriving. Take a deep look into calve and fawn recruitment in the Eagle River Vally and you'll see that human influences (those same homes, ranchettes, highways, shopping malls and ski areas I mentioned earlier) are affecting prey species. So the answer is to introduce an (another) apex predator onto those populations and things will be copacetic? Again, it's not fair to the wolves or its primary prey species. This was a terrible decision. I recall it was DOW who showed up to planning board meetings and warned about fracturing landscapes. Did people like you show up to support them? I don't recall anyone else being in those rooms.

[@luxiivy492]

​@@astrujillo Yeah, I do agree that wolf reintroductions are more suited to areas with less human traffic and appropriate volumes of prey are found. But my point was 'wolves change landscapes and the proof of that is in Yellowstone National Park'. Elsewise, I am in agreement. If I am not mistaken, a part of the documentary was also delegated to how wolves were also being reintroduced to more rural places where they would have minimal contact with people.

[@Youmadbro69698]

Grizzly bears were native as well.

[@edibox6074]

It's funny that the same people that tell the rancher to sit and watch their livelihood be destroyed are throwing a Royal tizzyfit when the bears, cougers and coyotes are killing the family pet's!!!!!!!

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

Never ends.

[@SkoBuffs-t6f]

Wolves were here before livestock.

[@chadscott5200]

Well things have changed. We are part of the equation wether you like it or not!

[@shasmi93]

Yeah… and dinosaurs were here before wolves… what’s your point? Life changes. That’s the only truth about life. It’s constantly changing and flowing. You either get on board or lose trying to fight it.

[@Reed411]

@@chadscott5200 And now wolves are too. cope.

[@colemartin9077]

So we're Indians before whites. 🤷‍♂️

[@TheYukonnahanni]

We have So Much To Learn !!

[@ChaseBoddicker]

It confounds me why there is an intense dueling perspective. These animals took a major hit but as they adapt, their numbers will continue to rise

[@marataylor3698]

I agree! Wolves are beautiful!

[@denisemiller4083]

I got to meet and hang out with a pack of Timberwolves in Wisconsin last month, and they are wonderful animals. We’ve got quite a few wolves in Wisconsin and they’ve never hurt anyone, have done a lot to keep our deer population under control. When they were taken off the endangered species list and they opened hunting season on wolves our deer population exploded and car accidents caused by deers also exploded. Unfortunately despite wolves only having had a beneficial effect on the state ecosystem people will likely once again hunt them to extinction. Humans are the most dangerous predators on the planet, and we are much more of a threat to wolves than Frey are to us.

[@jerrypeal653]

Them that want these wolves back well it doesn’t affect them . And no it doesn’t affect me here in the city.

[@RealMTBAddict]

It affects the world in a positive way.

[@jerrypeal653]

@ bull 🐂 if I run across one , bye 👋

[@SW-iw6ih]

I have lived in Colorado’s Front Range urban area for 50 years. It’s so wrong that the Front Range population, who is unaffected by wolves, has imposed this on the rural areas of the state. Especially since so many of the Front Range voters are recent transplants, and most of the ranchers have been in the state for generations. The vote in favor of reintroducing wolves didn’t pass 51 to 49 percent. It was much narrower than that. Rural Coloradan’s, you have a lot of support from many of us urban dwellers. Especially those of us who have been here for a long time, and miss what Colorado used to be like.

[@petesanchez557]

Sounds selfish to believe we have the right to eradicate a species when we’re the most invasive species on the planet.

[@hyenaboy7504]

Wolves are supposed to be there.

[@DaMoose13]

@@SW-iw6ih tyranny by the majority. Sad liberals are using wolves to hurt their political opponent.

[@DaMoose13]

@@SW-iw6ih it is a way for them to hurt rural Colorado and hunting. Plain and simple.

[@debrataylor4509]

Too much of the mnt prairies has been ruined by bad ranching habits and the leasing of public lands. Also, ranchers and hunters seem to have forgotten chronic wasting disease. Many front range people are fully aware of these issues and still support wildlife predators and rewilding our lands!

[@shaneespinoza9926]

This video talked about the bison, elk and dear being eradicated but if wolves are reintroduced then you have to bring back their food or, of course, they’re going to go after easy prey like calves.

[@brycethomas8864]

All North American wolf populations unanimously supported President Trump in last months election!!! Trump 2024 🇺🇸🐺

[@SorenAlba54]

I heard this debate before countless times in many videos and news footage about the ranchers having second opinion of what conservationists planned to do. It is very understandable for them to have certain concerns since their lifestyle is their main source of income for many across the world but if they wish to have no conflict with these animals or face public outrage, then they should come up with alternative ways to farm and fend off predators based on scientific evidence. Furthermore, I feel that for those who bring wolves from other states should teach them how to avoid such areas before releasing them back to the wild so that they can pass this knowledge to the next generation. In this way, both sides of the argument can truly coexist. Whether we do this or not, one thing is for sure: nature always prevail.

[@AmericanTrapper311]

These people don’t realize, or maybe they do. This country is strong with lots of livestock, the sheep industry got this country through world wars with the meat and the wool.

[@paulwohlgast6109]

We made the same mistakes here in Europe. But here also developped a switch in thinking. The Wolves are back in nearly all European Countries. These Farmers have concerns about stressed cows, due to wolves. Have these people ever seen cows inside a slaughterhouse ? Don't know, if Donny might cancel this project. But i am sure, if he can, he will do it. Big congrats !

[@LolaDc7]

Exactly, but now ranchers are worried about the mental wellbeing of animals they slaughter anyway 😂😂😂 clock that tea again!

[@chadtrips3203]

I hope the wolves make a huge comeback.

[@bushmaster7515]

Great Documentary....very insightful....Thanks

[@ladonnagriego3117]

Maybe compesate the true natives before the ranchers, for the genocide and thieft of their land and way of life

[@lukecoppersammy]

There aren't any true native humans to the Americas

[@kristycruz8303]

The way they talk about the wolves hold a lot of correlation with how the natives were pushed out of their land. It’s so strange and sad to see the similarities. Colonists worked so hard to eradicate both and are now so confused about what was so wrong about it.

[@bobbyfrank737]

why compensate true natives? Are they losing thousands of dollars to wolves? The genocide has long since been over and they are getting money and have land its to late now, if you want natives to get all there land back you'd have to move a lot more people.

[@bobbyfrank737]

@@kristycruz8303No one is confused about why it was wrong.

[@hyenaboy7504]

@@lukecoppersammy Ok, racist.

[@hunterbergman6453]

How come this video didn’t mention the fact that CPW already removed the first established wolf pack and pups because of depredation? What did you think was going to happen? It’s almost comical how much lack of thought and critical thinking there appears to be behind this

[@ngrader]

That is the rancher version of not locking the bear box, then wondering why the friggin bear keeps coming back to our open trash can. Or the city version of not locking your door, then blaming government for someone stealing from your house. "CPW had determined that improper carcass management ... The ranch failed to meet three of the four requirements for a lethal take permit" is probably why it wasn't mentioned. The ranch failed, yet the wolves were still moved... Sounds like a compromise to me.

[@JoshTrager-j9g]

I love wolves! One of my favorite animals, so majestic and awesome! 👍 😎 I'm glad they're making a comeback in Colorado! 🙂

[@spencerfarnik2838]

These wolves were completely happy at their home up in Washington. It’s cruel what we are doing by trapping them, caging them and forcefully relocating them to a place that they don’t know the landscape. The death rate is high as we have seen. It’s absolutely cruel to forcefully relocate these animals to a place they don’t want to be.

[@DaMoose13]

@spencerfarnik2838 it is sad that a certain party decided to use wolves to attack their political opponents in rural Colorado.

[@42racing18]

Too bad they didn't come from washington... they came from Oregon. And Oregon with a low population of elk and deer on the Indian reservation they came from. They will be much happier in colorado

[@DaMoose13]

@42racing18 CPW has already trapped the female and her pack introduced from Oregon. They are being "relocated" again. I hope that dog is happy I'm her kennel!

[@Reed411]

Caring about the wolves "feelings" when you are for the interest of ranchers makes you a fake person. What a cop out.

[@islandbirdw]

They were forced into extinction by indiscriminate killing. They belong where they were native. The wolf has more rights to that land than the livestock. PERIOD

[@stanleytolle416]

The reimbursement to ranchers is not the loss of the livestock but the cost of new management practices needed to deal with the wolves. Like livestock need to be handled differently when wolves are present. In some cases different breeding selections make sense for livestock that are resistant to wolf predation. In actuality the are ranchers in other places are profitably rising livestock where wolves are present in large numbers.

[@norseman5041]

I would suggest getting some Great Pyrenees Mountain dogs and maybe Kangal dogs. These have been used to great success to keep predators away from farm animals for 100's of years. The pyrenes are nocturnal for the most part and will constantly be on alert. If I was a cattle or life stock owner, I would definitely go thar route.

[@hambone4728]

Thats expensive and many of these ranches are vast and remote. Just saying "get a guard dog" might not actually work in reality.

[@norseman5041]

@@hambone4728 well, this is how people in Europe deal with predators, have done so for eternity. We have no right to destroy what was just to be economically profitable. It is our duty to adjust, because we can, wildlife cannot. If it is not possible to co-exist, we need to find other ways to make a living. Cold hard fact.

[@hambone4728]

@@norseman5041 farming in Europe is very different from _ranching_ in the American west. I have no doubt it could be made to work at some scale but is it actually practical and effective is the question. Keeping specialized working dogs isn't cheap and requires alot of work to train and keep them fed and cared for. A family owned ranch may not have the money or manpower to get a guard dog program up and running. And it's not just making a living, we have a population of 335 million people and growing...they have to be fed. We have to dedicate land to that purpose and it has to be used effectively to feed the population.

[@norseman5041]

@@hambone4728 True, it is not easy to be a food producer that is for sure. And even if they get compensated for their loss, it is not easy to have to deal with losing any of your animals to predators. Sometimes hard dictions have to be made. I Norway we used to (and still do) hunt whales, against a huge outcry from the world. However, the whale the Norwegians hunt is not in danger and 5-600 000 live on the Norwegian coast. However, some whale boats have ditched whaling and instead taking tourists and others out to whale watch and is actually more profitable in doing this. The type of cattle farming we see in many areas require enormous acres, due to the fact the land is really not suitable for this kind of food production. In Norway (again) sheep farmers expect to be able to let sheep's out in the wild and not think of them till fall comes and they have to be gathered before winter. So, they experience huge losses at times, wolf and bears are nearly eradicated from the Norway due to farmers demand, claiming they have always let their sheep out in the wild, which is not true, this type of farming is fairly new and has not had very long traditions in Norway, but people are only capable of thinking 2 or 3 generations back. The type of sheep they have has nothing to do in the wild in Norway, they are simply not equipped to survive. 90% of the losses are due to other reasons than our carnivores, but the headlines in the news are always big if a bear or a wolf take a sheep.

[@globyois]

I just love how government agents will say, “And we will compensate the rancher up to $15,000.” NEWS FLASH, Mr. government agent . . . YOU are not compensating ONE RED CENT! IT’S THE TAXPAYERS who are giving out THEIR hard-earned cash, NOT YOU! I wonder if these Environmental agents would be so enthusiastic if it was THEIR SALARIES that the compensation money comes out of?!

[@Mammothsaber-4457]

The environmental agents pay taxes like everyone else so clearly their willing to pay it

[@joefish4466]

Ranchers are complaining about wolves taking their cattle that's grazing on PUBLIC lands. Ranchers are complaining about stress to the cattle, which sounds like the shoveling of a ton of cow manure. Rancher's are not conservationists if they only seek to conserve their cattle, which are not native to the continent. Ranchers complaining about laws on protection of wolves are similar to people who complain about laws against dumping gallons waste motor oil into the watershed. Ranchers complaining about their livelihood sounds similar to corporations complaining about having to pay people a living wage.

[@SpecialSoldier109]

Livestock Guardian Dogs are gonna be big business soon also why not allow the wolves to return with hunting seasons to allow their population to grow slowly but not explode

[@robothat]

Reintroduce them along the front range, abundant native canine and feline prey.

[@byronbuchanan3066]

All of you who want to persecute ranchers for killing wolves are hypocritical imo. If it was you trying to ranch, would you be ok with wolves destroying your livestock? Probably not. Most of you live in cities and go to the store to get your meat.

[@joebuck120]

We should re introduce grizzlies to LA too

[@ngrader]

LA has plenty of bears. You must not get out much.

[@RealMTBAddict]

You shouldn't get so offended all the time.

[@Sasquach-h7p]

Coloradians should be more worried about the smog in denver.

[@Reed411]

The most off topic comment

[@dnictheone6063]

This isn't LA bozo

[@sev-nutz8524]

I wish my family got a lot of free land too

[@Perceptual.]

There also kind of small, like almost coyote size, its not like a dire wolf whose eye level meets yours while on all 4s.

[@Zac.r90]

Protect the wilderness

[@Shane10871]

We will

[@schiros123]

Ranching can absolutely be conservation in our modern world. But seriously sir the native people weren’t conservationists before the settlers? You make ranchers look ignorant.

[@teyanuputorti7927]

Wolves deserve to return to their native ranges. But we have to learn to live with them. Wolves are a natural part of the ecosystem the invaders here are cattle and the ranchers who took Indigenous lands. Also too much cattle is causing global warming.

[@chadscott5200]

That might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard…… cow farts come on…… wolves haven’t been here for 80 years.

[@teyanuputorti7927]

@@chadscott5200 wolves are native to North America and cattle are causing global warming and ranchers stole indigenous lands

[@chadscott5200]

Well things have changed a little haven’t they? Global warming is a joke…. The temperatures are constantly changing. We are part of the equation weather you like it or not. There is no scenario where we just disappear. Maybe give up your land and give it to a wolf….

[@Wtz-jx3wh]

@@teyanuputorti7927u are very brilliant can I have your autograph

[@hyenaboy7504]

@@chadscott5200 Yet the wolves are still more native than cattle are.

[@captain54526]

The introduction of the Wolves will impact the other predator's that are there. The Mountain Lion will decrease by 40% or more as this is what has been established through studies in Yellowstone. Why would one want to replace a predator already established with another ? The Elk/Mule deer herds will take the blunt of the decrease in numbers as the Wolf packs are increased especially in winter.