Wolf Scientific Publications
CHCC faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students have contributed to a substantial body of scientific research on wolves and their interactions with people. This work spans wolf ecology, conservation, reintroduction, livestock conflicts, public attitudes, and the social and economic dimensions of wolf recovery.
The publications below highlight research that informs wolf conservation and management, with particular relevance to Colorado and the broader western United States.
Ghasemi, B., Kyle, G., Teel, T., Niemiec, R., Crooks, K., Glikman, J. A., Carter, N. H., Vucetich, J. A., Lute, M. L., Breck, S., Frank, B., Hoag, D., Salerno, J., van Eeden, L. M., & Bruskotter, J. T. (2026). Psychometric framework for coexistence with large carnivores. Conservation Biology, 40(5), e70326. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70326
Gonzalez, M. N., Quartuch, M., & Niemiec, R. M. (2025). Stakeholder engagement for Colorado wolf reintroduction: Stakeholder-derived metrics of success. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2025.2520848
Hyde, M., Oakleaf, J. K., deVos, J., Bergman, D. L., Crooks, K. R., Young, J. K., & Breck, S. W. (2025). Food subsidies reduce livestock depredations by a recovering carnivore. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.70028
Niemiec, R. M., Quartuch, M., Gonzalez, M., Champine, V., & Mertens, A. (2025). Social outcomes associated with a public and stakeholder engagement process for wolf reintroduction. Conservation Science and Practice, e70058. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70058
vonHoldt, B. M., Blumstein, D. T., Berger, J., & Carroll, C. (2025). Species recovery as a half empty process: The case against ignoring social ecology for gray wolf recovery. BioScience, 75(4), 307–316. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae134
Gonzalez, M. N., Berl, R. E. W., Teel, T., & Niemiec, R. M. (2024). The impact of normative beliefs on intended voting and collective actions related to wolf reintroduction. Society & Natural Resources. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2024.2335400
Nickerson, R., Hoag, D., Evangelista, P. H., Niemiec, R., Few, A., & Breck, S. W. (2024). US livestock producer interest in alternatives to compensation programs for wolf depredation. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2024.2414880
Breck, S. W., Davis, A. J., Oakleaf, J. K., Bergman, D. L., deVos, J., Greer, J. P., & Pepin, K. (2023). Factors affecting the recovery of Mexican wolves in the Southwest United States. Journal of Applied Ecology, 60(10), 2199–2209. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14483
Ditmer, M. A., Wittemyer, G., Zeller, K. A., Breck, S. W., Fletcher, R. J., & Crooks, K. R. (2023). Predicting dispersal and conflict risk for wolf recolonization in Colorado. Journal of Applied Ecology, 60(11), 2327–2339. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14504
Hoag, D. J., Burkhardt, J., Ghasemi, B., Breck, S., Niemiec, R., & Crooks, K. R. (2023). Willingness to pay for reintroducing wolves in a divided voting base. Global Ecology and Conservation, 46, e02576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02576
Hoag, D. J., Burkhardt, J., Ghasemi, B., & Young, R. (2023). Economic wins and losses from reintroducing wolves. CSU Regional Economic Development Institute. View publication
Crooks, K. R., Gonzalez, M. N., & Ghasemi, B. (2022). Scientist perspectives toward the status and management of gray wolves in the western United States. Conservation Science and Practice, e12728. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12728
Ditmer, M. A., Niemiec, R. M., Wittemyer, G., & Crooks, K. R. (2022). Socio-ecological drivers of public conservation voting: Restoring gray wolves to Colorado, USA. Ecological Applications, e02532. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2532 CSU press release
Ditmer, M. A., Wittemyer, G., Breck, S. W., & Crooks, K. R. (2022). Defining ecological and socially suitable habitat for the reintroduction of an apex predator. Global Ecology and Conservation, e02192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02192
Hoag, D., Breck, S., Crooks, K., & Niemiec, B. (2022). Economic consequences of the wolf comeback in the western United States. Western Economics Forum, 20(1), 61–70. View publication
Niemiec, R., Berl, R. E., Gonzalez, M., Teel, T., Salerno, J., Breck, S., Camara, C., Collins, M., Schultz, C., Hoag, D., & Crooks, K. (2022). Rapid changes in public perception toward a conservation initiative. Conservation Science and Practice, e12632. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12632 CSU press release
Niemiec, R., Gruby, R., Quartuch, M., Cavaliere, C., Teel, T., Crooks, K., Salerno, J., Solomon, J., Jones, K., Gavin, M., Lavoie, A., Stronza, A., Meth, L., Enrici, A., Lanter, K., Browne, C., Proctor, J., & Manfredo, M. (2021). Integrating social science into conservation planning. Biological Conservation, 262, 109298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109298
Manfredo, M. J., Berl, R. E., Teel, T. L., & Bruskotter, J. T. (2021). Bringing social values to wildlife conservation decisions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19(6), 355–362. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2356 CSU press release
Hamilton, L. C., Lambert, J. E., Lawhon, L. A., Salerno, J., & Hartter, J. (2020). Wolves are back: Sociopolitical identity and opinions on management of Canis lupus. Conservation Science and Practice, e213. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.213
Niemiec, R. M., Berl, R. E. W., Gonzalez, M., Teel, T., Camara, C., Collins, M., Salerno, J., Crooks, K., Schultz, C., Breck, S., & Hoag, D. (2020). Public perspectives and media reporting of wolf reintroduction in Colorado. PeerJ, 8, e9074. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9074
Niemiec, R. M., Sekar, S., Gonzalez, M., & Mertens, A. (2020). The influence of message framing on public beliefs and behaviors related to species reintroduction. Biological Conservation, 248, 108522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108522
Amirkhiz, R. G., Frey, J. K., Cain, J. W., III, Breck, S. W., & Bergman, D. L. (2018). Predicting spatial factors associated with cattle depredations by the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) with recommendations for depredation risk modeling. Biological Conservation, 224, 327–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2018.06.013
Much, R., Breck, S. W., Lance, N., & Callahan, P. (2018). An ounce of prevention: Quantifying the effects of non-lethal tools on wolf behavior. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 203, 73–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.02.012
Verzuh, T., Bergman, D. L., Bender, S. C., Dwire, M., & Breck, S. W. (2018). Intercanine width measurements to aid predation investigations: A comparison between sympatric native and non-native carnivores in the Mexican wolf recovery area. Journal of Mammalogy, 99, 1405–1410. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyy145
Stone, S. A., Breck, S. W., Timberlake, J., Haswell, P. M., Najera, F., Bean, B. S., & Thornhill, D. J. (2017). Adaptive use of nonlethal strategies for reducing wolf–sheep conflict in Idaho. Journal of Mammalogy, 98, 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw188
Piaggio, A. J., Cariappa, C. A., Straughan, D. J., Neubaum, M. A., Dwire, M., Krausman, P. R., Ballard, W. B., Bergman, D. L., & Breck, S. W. (2016). A non-invasive method to detect Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) and estimate abundance. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 40, 321–330. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.659
Wierzbowska, I. A., Hędrzak, M., Popczyk, B., Okarma, H., & Crooks, K. R. (2016). Predation of wildlife by free-ranging domestic dogs in Polish hunting grounds and potential competition with the grey wolf. Biological Conservation, 201, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.06.016
Breck, S. W., Clark, P., Howery, L., Johnson, D., Kluever, B., Smallidge, S., & Cibils, A. (2012). A perspective on livestock–wolf interactions on western rangelands. Rangelands, 6–11. https://doi.org/10.2111/RANGELANDS-D-11-00069.1
Breck, S. W., Kluever, B. M., Panasci, M., Oakleaf, J., Bergman, D. L., Ballard, W., & Howery, L. (2011). Domestic calf mortality and producer detection rates in the Mexican wolf recovery area: Implications for livestock management and carnivore compensation schemes. Biological Conservation, 144, 930–936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2010.12.014
Lance, N., Breck, S. W., Sime, C. A., Callahan, P., & Shivik, J. A. (2010). Development and application of a non-lethal tool for managing wolves: Electrified fladry. Wildlife Research, 37, 708–714. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR10022
Kluever, B. M., Howery, L. D., Breck, S. W., & Bergman, D. L. (2009). Predator and heterospecific stimuli alter behavior in cattle. Behavioural Processes, 81, 85–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2009.02.004
Bruskotter, J. T., Schmidt, R. H., & Teel, T. L. (2007). Are attitudes toward wolves changing? A case study in Utah. Biological Conservation, 139, 211–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2007.06.016
Musiani, M., Mamo, C., Boitani, L., Callaghan, C., Gates, C., Mattei, L., Visalberghi, E., Breck, S. W., & Volpi, G. (2003). Wolf depredation trends and the use of fladry barriers to protect livestock in western North America. Conservation Biology, 17, 1538–1547. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2003.00063.x

