close
close

How a hunter captured the first video of released wolf cubs in Colorado

play

Mike Usalavage didn't know what to think when he and his son Hank were exploring the back roads of Colorado with their dogs Bear and Gracie and came across three wolf cubs playing in a rain puddle in the middle of a rarely used, tree-lined country road.

The Colorado father and son are hunters and knew the playful interaction of the 40- to 50-pound pups was special because these pups are the only known descendants of the wolves released in Colorado in Grand and Summit counties.

Mike Usalavage told the Coloradoan on Tuesday, August 20, that the video was shot last week. He would not name the area or county where the encounter occurred out of concern for the wolves' safety. Colorado Parks and Wildlife posted his video on its Facebook page on August 19.

“We were lucky that the truck was able to be turned off before they noticed us,” Mike Usalavage told the Coloradoan on Tuesday. “It was a wonderful experience to see the pups playing and interacting. I'm not sure you see anything like that very often in the wild, especially in Colorado. We appreciate the rarity of this moment.”

Mike Usalavage captured the first known video of the wolf cubs born this spring. The two wolves have killed 16 of Grand Lake's livestock since April 2, according to ranchers. Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not comment publicly on individual wolves or which wolves are responsible for the livestock destruction.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife had previously only publicly acknowledged knowing of one wolf cub, but was convinced there were more, which biologists confirmed after viewing the video. The agency said there could possibly be more than three cubs. The average wolf litter size is between four and six.

Mike Usalavage said he and his son are hunters, and the rare glimpse into the lives of wolves came with the realization that wolves likely impact not only ranchers but hunters as well.

“We are hunters, so I'm torn about reintroducing them,” he said. “I know the program will affect a lot of people, including me, but it was very special to be able to watch such rare animals doing their thing in their natural habitat.”

Mike Usalavage said they observed the playful encounter for about 7 minutes. The entire video, which Mike Usalavage captured using a camera's zoom, is nearly 1 minute and 30 seconds long. He estimated he was 100 yards from the wolves. The video clearly shows the four wolves and shows Mike Usalavage panning toward his son and Bear and Gracie, who can be heard whining.

“It was also interesting to see my Jack Russell Terriers watching them so attentively but not going crazy,” he said. “I don't know if it was fear or respect or just curiosity. Maybe a bit of both.”

Mike Usalavage said this will be a day the two will remember for the rest of their lives.

“They (Bear and Gracie) are definitely hunters too; squirrels and chipmunks, watch out,” Mike said. “I guess the whole encounter was some kind of hunters' meeting?”

You may also like...