Recovery of a Species:
Genetic Survival by Alan P. Lacy – SW Wolf Recovery Outreach
O
ne of the biggest challenges in rescuing the Mexican wolf from a once-certain extinction is ensuring the genetic survival of the species. Scientists and biologists have had their work cut out for them from the beginning, starting, as they did, with just seven individual animals. Today, with more than 80 wolves in the wild and around 300 in captivity, the scientists’ hard work has proven successful. However, there are still valid concerns about the genetic rescue of this species, and whether or not the Mexican wolf is endangered because of its population status or that of its genetic status. In 1976, the Mexican wolf was listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It had been at least six years since the last Mexican wolves had been shot on US soil in Arizona and Texas, and reports of sightings had dwindled as well. Sightings were SL - SPRING 2015 14
also becoming less frequent in Mexico, following one of the largest campaigns in North America to extinguish wolves once and for all. Yet, there were still a few reports and sightings of these wolves, commonly referred to as “lobos,” coming from Mexico. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, along with their counterparts in Mexico, agreed to send a professional trapper into the remote Mexican wildernesses in hopes of capturing any remaining lobos. This was the beginning of recovery. Roy T. McBride, a skilled and professional trapper, was sent into Mexico with one goal: capture any wolves he could find. From 1977 to 1980, McBride scoured the hills and mountains in search of any signs of wolf activity or presence. At the end of those three years, he was only able to capture five wolves in the wild. Luckily, one was a pregnant female. These original five wolves would form what is