In the vast landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico, a dedicated team of wildlife biologists embarks on an annual mission to track and protect the endangered Mexican gray wolf. Utilizing helicopters and trucks, their efforts have resulted in a population growth over the past nine years. However, conservationists warn that genetic challenges loom large for the species.
An unusually warm January finds state wolf technician Annie Norland and state veterinarian Anne Justice-Allen in Alpine, Arizona. Here, an endangered Mexican gray wolf is carefully monitored on an operating table while Norland prepares an IV.
“It’s currently muzzled, and it’s got this blindfold on. Helps keep the animal calm, keep people safe,” explains wolf technician Lonnie Fox.
Today’s task involves overseeing the wolf’s operation, and Fox is in charge. The wolf, weighing 75 pounds, has been sedated with Telazol, ensuring it remains calm during the procedure. As the helicopter departs for the next capture, the team works swiftly.
“It did come in a little warm. It was still, when it got here, about 104. Which is that upper end of what we want,” comments Fox. To manage the wolf’s body temperature, Norland strategically places ice packs on its body.
The team takes blood samples, administers vaccines, and adjusts the wolf’s GPS collar. Suddenly, the wolf stirs, prompting a quick response from the team to stabilize it.
“I can give him a little more ketamine if you want,” suggests Justice-Allen, ensuring the animal remains calm. They proceed cautiously, knowing that each wolf reacts differently to sedation.
Genetic Concerns
Years ago, the Mexican gray wolf population dwindled to just seven individuals due to human actions. Conservation efforts have since reintroduced the species into the wild, but genetic diversity remains a pressing issue.
Greta Anderson from the Western Watersheds Project emphasizes the risks of inbreeding, noting, “We’ve started to document wolves who have conjoined toe pads and that’s called syndactyly. It’s evidence of inbreeding.”
Anderson stresses the importance of genetic diversity for the species’ survival, likening it to having a “bigger crayon box to color the world with” in the face of environmental changes.
Advocacy groups argue for releasing adult wolves to improve genetic diversity, a point of contention with Jim DeVos of Arizona Game and Fish, who believes it could lead to livestock conflicts.
Currently, the focus remains on fostering wolf pups. The agency has successfully placed over 160 pups into wild packs since 2016, with encouraging results.
Legal challenges to the current strategy were recently dismissed, affirming the ongoing conservation methodology.
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