Red Wolves Paired for Spring!

I recently returned from the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan yearly meeting where many discussions about Red Wolf taxonomy, husbandry, veterinary recommendations, and all things Red Wolf took place. 

It is always an exciting time when the subject shifts to breeding recommendations for the following season. Sheets of paper showing each facility’s pens and Red Wolves are placed around the room, a computer software program is booted up, and, very carefully made, transfer recommendations begin.

The computer software program helps us determine which pairs would produce offspring with the greatest genome diversity. In other words, we need to breed Red Wolves who are the least related in the population. This can prove difficult when the population started with only 14 founders.

The computer software houses each Red Wolf’s pedigree and brings choosing mates to a very high level of science. The program also helps determine how many pairs and offspring need to be made to hold the population steady or to grow the population. This year, we created 28 pairs and the Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center at Reflection Riding will house one of these pairs! 

Red Wolf 1909 is a 1.5 year old female who will be paired with Red Wolf 1567 male who was born at the nature center in 2007. We are thrilled to have this pair with the potential for pups in Spring 2014! We will also retain our other existing Red Wolves as exhibit companion pairs.

Come howl with our wolves soon! For more information, read about Red Wolf 1909.