A licensed hunter reportedly killed one of Colorado’s female gray wolves in January. Killing gray wolves in Colorado, where they are listed as endangered both by the state and the federal Endangered Species Act, is illegal without authorization. Only one wolf death in Colorado — of 17 reported wolf mortalities to date — is being investigated as illegal poaching, but other investigations and allegations have revealed wolves being shot in the state. “In this case, the shooter was cited for violating CPW regulations, but not state or federal endangered species law, both of which forbid take of an endangered species, even in the case of mistaken identity,” the statement read. Such a weakness in the program leaves room for any bad actors to claim an accidental killing of an endangered species.”