A healthy and better functioning ecosystem IMO is to be strived for. IF the simple re-introduction of this apex predator achieves that, then so be it.

However, I do not believe for one second the goal is the ecosystem by those that voted in wolves. They are magical creatures, charismatic megafauna (to steal from Steve Rinella), to be worshipped and loved.

The problem I see is with data and information. The article referenced about wolves changing the ecosystem is from that nonsense documentary, and has been thoroughly debunked by actual biologists. There are many podcasts on this. What actually changed the ecosystem was the reintroduction of tons of BEAVERS, at the same time as the wolves, but those aren't magical creatures so noone cared.

If CO, or any state wants wolves, fine. So long as the game management agencies and biologists have a plan on day 1 for management, and management is left up to the STATE, on day 1. When you have apex predators that are federally protected because they're on an ESA list, and no matter how far over the agreed upon recovery numbers they get, the states are constantly sued so as to not be allowed to manage them. People do not like the idea of hunting these magical beings, so let's constantly sue to keep the states from managing them. That is, IMO, the biggest problem with re-introductions of apex predators. We (humans) also make it much easier for wolves to hunt and kill lots of game with our impact on the landscape. Fences, roads, powerlines, ease of travel lanes allow packs to cover ground quickly to pick up the trail of a herd and hunt. So the numbers need to be managed early and often if the state's goal is not wild swings in animal populations.

We have to balance a lot of things in order to keep our wildlife systems going. That takes money, and lots of it. Hunters and shooters pay for damn near all of it. I'm not so sure it is smart to screw those of us who pay in order to fulfill some pipe dream nonsense of an "improved ecosystem" caused by the wolves. If you believe that then electric cars will save the planet, and we can dismantle all fossil fueled power plants and run on wishes and farts from all the beans we eat since meat is also destroying us all.

Listening to the local news looks like they plan on introducing 2 more groups of 5 soon with another 15 coming after that.

They have been in the Kremmling area at least since 2015, when this one was shot.

https://www.skyhinews.com/news...mling-wolf-shooting/

This video was taken this month, by a guy that I know.

https://www.9news.com/article/...58-8bd2-f28bc8128b05

With this map showing where the wolves have traveled , by the collars they wear. It won't be long until they will be in the backyards of the front range people that voted for this idea.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...ee0f7d8e4badc2&ei=22