DENVER — Colorado’s new wolves have started to reproduce, and for the first time, there’s video to prove it.
Mike Usalavage was on a scenic drive with his son Hank last week, when he stumbled upon three wolf pups playing in the middle of a dirt road.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed the validity of Usalavage's video.
“It was just so exciting to come upon that. Such a wonderful surprise,” Usalavage said. “Super rare moment, and we were aware of that, in that moment.”
Usalavage does not want to share where the video was taken, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to keep that private as well, for the safety of the pups.
CPW spokesperson Travis Duncan told 9NEWS the wolves are from the Copper Creek Pack, which has previously been spotted in Grand County. Biologists knew the pack had given birth to one pup, but now know that number is at least three.
They estimate the wolves are between 40 and 50 pounds each.
The video shows the wolf pups running back and forth, splashing in a puddle in the middle of a dirt road surrounded by trees. At one point, an adult wolf emerges and stands near the pups. Usalavage said he filmed for about seven minutes before something spooked the wolves and they ran away.
“I didn’t really have a size reference until the mom stepped out, and then you realize how big the mom actually is,” Usalavage said.
Usalavage said the gravity of the moment wasn’t lost on him.
“It was wonderful,” he said. “I don’t plan on ever seeing that again.”