Update 5 p.m.: CPW is working to confirm the number of wolves involved in the incident.

On the morning of Nov. 17, Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a report of a possible depredation incident after a rancher found three dead lambs on his property in southern Jackson County. According to CPW, one of their wildlife officers responded and conducted a field investigation.

“The results of this investigation indicated wounds on the carcasses consistent with wolf depredation,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Kris Middledorf stated. “The field investigation found signs of hemorrhaging, indicating the attack occurred while the animals were still alive and the carcasses were not scavenged.”

The ranch is co-owned by Brian Anderson and his father, Phillip Anderson. Phillip is also the former president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

“CPW provides reimbursement for damages caused by gray wolves to livestock defined in (state statue) and animals used for guard/herding purposes,” the agency stated. “It also provides conflict minimization materials under its Gray Wolf Compensation and Conflict Minimization Program.”

The wolf that depredated the lambs is not a wolf from the state’s reintroduction program. Wolves are not set to be released by CPW until December, after they are transported from Oregon. CPW has confirmed that there are wolves in Colorado, which migrated from Wyoming into Jackson County.

Community members can read more about the compensation and conflict minimization program by reading chapter six of the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan on CPW’s website at cpw.state.co.us.

This story will be updated as information is received.