Mexican Wolf Research

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Genetic Management of the Mexican Wolf Captive Population: Science As a Tool in Endangered Species Conservation

Philip S. Miller
Senior Program Officer
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group
Species Survival Commission
IUCN / World Conservation Union

"Although persisting as a subject of often intense debate within many realms of the conservation community, the management of animal populations in captivity remains an important and often vital component of an endangered species management strategy. The final goal of most captive management programs includes the reintroduction of healthy captive-born individuals to wild habitats that best suit their biological needs and are as free as possible from human interference. To help achieve this goal, zoo population managers work hard to secure the health of these individuals – not only in terms of their physical well-being, but also with regards to their..."

 

Successful Non-surgical Insemination of Mexican Wolves

Cheryl Asa, Ph.D.
Director of Research
Saint Louis Zoo
Saint Louis, Missouri

Susan Lindsey, Ph.D.
Director, Wild Canid Center
Eureka, Missouri

"Puppies were born in early May at the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center (WCSRC) outside St. Louis, Missouri, to two Mexican gray wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) that had been inseminated using a new, non-surgical technique that deposits sperm directly into the uterus. A third female was confirmed pregnant with ultrasound, but her four puppies died in utero due to a pregnancy complication unrelated to the insemination.

Successful application of this non-surgical technique to Mexican wolves by Norwegian veterinarian Dr. Ragnar Thomassen and the research team from the St. Louis Zoo is a significant advance. Although semen can be deposited..."