Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the release of 15 new wolves from British Columbia in Colorado. Officials said the department completed a capture and release Saturday for the second Gray Wolf reintroduction season as part of the Colorado Gray Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

Colorado wildlife officials announced the second wave of releases of wolves from Canada in the central mountains over the last week, as part of the second wave of the state’s historic,

Colorado officials captured 15 wolves from British Columbia and released them onto the Western Slope on Jan. 12, 14, and 16.

A second group of wolves has been released in Colorado as part of a controversial, voter-driven initiative to reintroduce the predators to the state. Fifteen gray wolves from Canada were set free in the central mountains over three days last week,

The wolves were darted and immobilized in Oregon by expert marksmen and biologists working from a helicopter. They were netted and then brought onto small planes and eventually transported to vehicles,

This week, more wolves were released in Colorado as part of an initiative to reintroduce the species to the state. The gray wolf has been endangered in the United States for many years, and recent poaching and habitat loss have further diminished their numbers.

Colorado wildlife officials on Sunday announced they have completed the capture and release for the second gray wolf reintroduction season.