Several ranchers in Colorado have sent letters to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Governor Jared Polis demanding that the wolves be killed.

Ranchers object on the grounds that wolves hunt and kill their livestock and argue that non-lethal methods are not effective.

According to CPW, 24 cattle and sheep have been killed by wolves since April 2, including the most recent killing of eight sheep on July 28.

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Fox News Digital obtained the letter from the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, North Park Stockgrowers Association, Middle Park Stockgrowers Association and Routt County Cattlemen’s Association.

The letter highlighted a case in which CPW denied a request to remove two wolves that were responsible for numerous impairments.

“Protection of apex predators must not come at the expense of ranchers who have demonstrated a clear and ongoing threat to their livestock and livelihoods,” the letter states.

Concerns about non-lethal measures and the impact on pastoralist communities were addressed.

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“By refusing to control the problem wolves, CPW is allowing the raids on livestock to continue unchecked while simultaneously allowing a pack of predatory wolves to grow. The pups of these problem wolves are trained to ‘hunt’ and live off livestock. To avoid this, the problem wolves must be removed and the pups of the pair placed in an appropriate sanctuary.”

Non-lethal measures are physical or psychological barriers or intimidation tactics that can be erected to deter wolves and other predators.

Some of these may include fences, lighting and sound systems, and guard dogs.

Livestock producers can also change their livestock management practices and help by, for example, moving livestock away from known wolf dens and removing carcasses of dead animals so they do not attract wolves and other predators.

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In contrast, ranchers in Montana also struggled with wolf attacks, but approved the lethal removal of 31 wolves in 2023.

“Governor Polis remains committed to carrying out the will of Colorado voters and supporting Colorado Parks and Wildlife in successfully implementing the wolf recovery and management plan approved by CPW commissioners,” Shelby Wieman, press secretary for the governor’s office, told Fox News Digital via email.

“In fact, CPW and the Colorado Department of Agriculture are working closely with ranchers to provide funding, personnel and range rider support, and nonlethal deterrents. They have also established a working group with ranchers and others to strengthen communication, explore potential alternatives, and share learnings to combat chronic depredation,” Wieman wrote.

She added: “The unanimously adopted Colorado Wolf Management Plan calls for wolf culling as a last resort and allows for the immediate killing of any wolves caught in the act of attacking cattle, sheep or working dogs.”

In a statement FOX31CPW Director Jeff Davis responded to the groups.

“I will reiterate that CPW is fully committed to working with all Colorado agricultural stakeholders in all phases of the voter-approved wolf restoration effort. This is CPW’s highest priority, and we continue to partner with ranchers to provide them with funding, resources, range riders and personnel. We are working hard to resolve wolf-livestock conflicts and are focusing even more on education and nonlethal management techniques to assist ranchers,” Davis told the outlet.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to CPW, the governor’s office and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association for further comment.