Watch wolf pups play in puddle on Colorado trail as pet dogs watch curiously from car

A pair of wolf pups played in a puddle along a dirt road in Colorado, and a lucky resident captured it on video.

His pet dog was in the car with him and starts whining and barking eagerly at the sight of the playful pups, the video shows.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared the video on its social media accounts on Monday, Aug. 19, saying wolf biologists reviewed it and confirmed the validity of the video. It shows “three healthy wolf pups (around 40-50 lbs) and one adult from the Copper Creek pack,” officials said.

The Copper Creek pack lives in Oregon, and 10 of them were reintroduced in Colorado in December, officials said.

The pups play fight and run along the trail until the adult wolf joins in on the fun as well, the video shows.

“Playing not only allows a wolf pup to practice hunting behaviors but also teaches them how to communicate effectively with other wolves, which is a skill they will use throughout their lives as social creatures living in packs,” officials said.

The reintroduction of wolves in Colorado has stirred up controversy between critics and supporters, which was evident in the comments on the video.

“From Oregon with love! Please keep them safe,” someone said.

“Beautiful,” another person said. “May they grow to adulthood, be healthy and not depredate livestock.”

Mike Usalavage, the man who recorded the video and sent it to CPW, shared that he feels torn by the reintroduction .

“Though I’m conflicted on the bigger picture and whose voices matter most and how it will affect so many in the state, including me, it was pretty dang exciting to actually see these wolf pups,” he said, adding that someone advised him the pups were about 4 months old. “Seem so big for 4mos old. Seeing their mom was also a treat. Loved the playfulness. Loved the ‘baby pool.’ Especially loved the wipeout.”

Usalavage also commented on the Jack Russel terriers’ reaction to seeing the wolf pups.

“Also enjoyed seeing the JRTs mesmerized by their ancestral lineage!” he said. “Cousins how many times removed?”

Wildlife officials warned the public to keep their distance from wolves if they encounter them in the wild.

“It’s important to remember, that if you live or recreate in the foothills or mountains of Colorado, you are in wolf country,” officials said. “Wolves are wild animals and should be treated with the same respect as any other wild animal.”

Officials also asked anyone who thinks they may have seen a wolf to fill out a wolf sighting form so biologists can monitor the wolves and their movement in Colorado.

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