ARIZONA NEWS

Record 27 Mexican wolf pups fostered into Arizona and New Mexico

Jun 4, 2024, 4:25 AM

Wolf pups fostered...

A record 27 Mexican wolf pups were fostered into wild dens in Arizona and New Mexico, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials announced. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)

PHOENIX — A record 27 Mexican wolf pups were fostered into wild dens in Arizona and New Mexico, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials announced Friday.

The newborn wolf pups came from six genetically diverse litters held in five Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) locations. The AZA Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) member locations across the country placed pups into eight wild dens in Arizona and New Mexico over a the course of a month starting in April.

“It has taken time, but we are seeing fostering yield results as genetic indicators in the wild stabilize and improve,” Maggie Dwire, Deputy Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in a news release. “The hope is this surge of pups will continue to push those trends in the right direction, resulting in a healthier wild population and bringing us closer to recovery.”

How were the wolf pups fostered?

Fostering is a method used by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team to increase genetic diversity in the wild Mexican wolf population, according to the release. The SAFE program produces genetically diverse pups with selective breeding.

Within 14 days of being born, the SAFE-born pups are transported to dens of wild wolf packs and integrated with similarly aged wild pups, officials say. After the pups are placed into the wild den, the breeding female will spend the next several weeks caring for both the wild and SAFE-born pups.

“With the help of her pack mates, the pups will be raised with the skills and knowledge needed for a life in the wild,” officials said in the release.

The Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan calls for 22 released wolves to survive to breeding age to achieve recovery. A minimum of 18 pups have survived from each foster released between 2016 and 2022, according to officials.

At least 10 fostered wolves successfully bred and produced litters in the wild, officials stated. The fostered wolves have produced more than 20 litters and several of those offspring have gone on to produce pups of their own.

“This points to the ability of spreading the genetic contribution of the fosters into a wide geographic area, amplifying the benefit of the foster program,” Jim deVos, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mexican Wolf Coordinator said.

“In addition, these pups will learn how to live successfully in the wild from an experienced female which is yet another benefit of fostering over release of adults that have been maintained in captivity.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

6 hours ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

7 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

9 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

10 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

12 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

Record 27 Mexican wolf pups fostered into Arizona and New Mexico