DENVER — The wolf that wildlife officials tried to kill last month after a series of deadly sheep attacks in Rio Blanco County is the lone Copper Creek wolf that was not successfully captured a year ago, Colorado Parks & Wildlife revealed in a report Friday.

The agency arrived at the conclusion after genetic testing of blood and tissue left behind after the attempted removal.

Wildlife officials tried to kill the wolf after eight sheep deaths occurred in less than a month between two livestock grazing areas within a 6.5-mile radius. Four depredation events happened between July 20 and Aug. 16.

A removal effort was authorized on Aug. 4, but evacuation orders from the Lee Fire that had sparked two days prior kept wildlife officials from accessing the area to kill the wolf .

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