Featured Mission: LightHawk Pilots Deliver Wolves to Colorado
An endangered gray wolf looks back after being released into the Colorado backcountry. Photo by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
In early January, LightHawk volunteer pilots once again took to the skies in support of a historic conservation effort, transporting gray wolves to Colorado as part of the state’s voter-mandated reintroduction program.
For the second time, LightHawk partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to safely deliver wolves to their new home. This year’s mission involved three flights over several days, ferrying a total of 15 wolves from British Columbia to Colorado. These additions bring the state’s wolf population to 29 in the ongoing effort to restore this iconic species.
Each flight presented challenges, including headwinds up to 100 knots, but our pilots were successful in ensuring the wolves arrived with minimal stress. Given the complexity of these missions, every detail had to align perfectly, from coordinating with multiple agencies to clearing customs for international transport. Months of planning paid off, and thanks to the dedication of our pilots, these wolves are now back into the wild roaming the mountain landscapes.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the incredible volunteer pilots who donated their time and aircraft to make this mission possible. They have chosen to remain anonymous, but their impact speaks volumes.
This mission is just one example of the critical work LightHawk pilots contribute to conservation. From wolves and black-footed ferrets to whooping cranes and white abalone, our flights are helping restore endangered species across North America.
Please join us in celebrating all of our dedicated volunteer pilots who make these missions possible. Their passion and generosity fuel conservation from the skies!
The transport team carefully unloads a wolf crate after one of three LightHawk flights, each capable of transporting up to five gray wolves per trip. Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
A Pilatus PC-12 waits on the ramp for wolves to be loaded before heading to Colorado to meet with state wildlife biologists. Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
A look inside the cargo area of a LightHawk flight showing carefully secured transport crates, each housing an endangered gray wolf. Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife