We’re thrilled that our very own Anna was among the photos of animals projected on the Empire State Building on Saturday night Aug. 1, 2015, during a tribute to endangered species. Cecil the Lion’s image also appeared during the spectacular display of images promoting the upcoming movie “Racing Extinction.”
The photo of Anna used in the display was taken by Joel Sartore for The Photo Ark. The photo appeared on the cover of National Geographic.
The Discovery channel will show the premiere of Academy Award-Winning Louie Psihoyos’s “Racing Extinction” in more than 220 countries and territories around the world on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, at 8 p.m. CST.
Anna was a legendary Mexican wolf who produced a record number of pups that dramatically helped her critically endangered species. Anna was born April 22, 2001, and raised at the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri, just southwest of St. Louis. She died April 21, 2015, the day before her 14th birthday.
For years, Anna (whose studbook number is AF685) was a favorite of Endangered Wolf Center members and visitors. Staff and volunteers often referred to her as the Center’s matriarch. She was a true alpha and strong leader.
Anna gave birth to 41 pups in four separate litters. The average litter size for a Mexican wolf is five pups. Anna had record breaking litters:
In 2003 she had 8 puppies (all survived)
In 2004 she had 10 puppies (all survived, a record-breaking litter for Mexican wolves)
In 2005 she had 12 puppies (9 survived)
In 2008 she had 11 puppies (9 survived)
You can learn more about her on the Anna Legacy page or in the Summer issue of our magazine.
