Over 50 Years of Conservation in Action
Since its inception in 1971, the Endangered Wolf Center has been home to 394 pups as of 2024. That’s a lot of conservation cuteness!
To break it down between species, we’ve welcomed: 281 Mexican wolf pups, 67 American Red Wolf pups, 10 South American maned wolf pups, 23 African painted dog pups, and 13 swift fox kits.
Our success is not through sheer luck – it’s a direct result of the hard work that our staff puts in every day to ensure the survival of these endangered animals.
Critical to our mission to preserve and protect endangered wolves, an important research study has taken place annually at the Endangered Wolf Center. From late January through March, research volunteers document wolf behaviors between breeding pairs. This information helps our team plan for pups in the spring and assists conservationists to make informed decisions about pup fostering.
Let’s take a deep dive to learn more about what happens here at the Endangered Wolf Center during winter and spring, our breeding and puppy seasons!
But First… What is Breeding and Why is it so Important?
Breeding refers simply to the mating of animals and their production of offspring. Breeding is important for the survival of all species, but it is especially important for critically endangered species like Mexican wolves and American Red Wolves. Because both populations are so low, a collaborative managed breeding program is essential for these species to thrive in the wild and in human care. When the Mexican wolf managed breeding program began in the 1970s, only a staggering seven wolves were left in existence. For the American Red Wolf, only fourteen remained to start the breeding program.
For both species, genetics play a major role in their survival. Genetic diversity gives animals, especially those on the brink of extinction, a better chance to make a comeback. Without genetic diversity, animals are more susceptible to inbreeding, which leads to disease and the inability to adapt to their environment.
Observing behaviors between breeding pairs is important not only to gain more information but also to have an idea of which females we think have a high possibility of being pregnant. Since our Animal Care team is already really busy taking care of the animals, other staff members and many amazing volunteers help participate in observations! During breeding observation meetings, staff and volunteers learn all the basics of canid breeding and what to look for during their observations and how to document certain behaviors.
A History of Collaboration and Research
In the late 1990s, in collaboration with the Saint Louis Zoo’s reproductive team, the Endangered Wolf Center started breeding observations for Mexican wolves and in the years to follow, American Red Wolves. Every year, passionate staff and volunteers come together to aid endangered wolf conservation. We hold two-hour observation shifts twice a day throughout breeding season. During this time, the observer sits outside (sometimes in harsh weather!) inside a blind and records all breeding behaviors seen.
Gathering this information assists our team in encouraging natural breeding in a managed-care setting, where we can adapt to an animal’s needs when it comes to their habitat, veterinary care, and nutrition.
In addition to helping us understand wolf breeding behaviors, this data can help with other research projects, on topics such as artificial insemination and the affects of climate change on breeding.
Having eyes on breeding pairs also helps our team estimate potential due dates, which will aid in the pup fostering process.
Saving Species is Better Together
To ensure that these wolves are genetically diverse enough to survive into the future, the Endangered Wolf Center works collaboratively with other organizations and programs around the nation. Our accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) acknowledges that we have consistently met the highest standards of animal care and allows us to be a part of the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program.
The SAFE program focuses on the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and leverages its massive audiences to raise awareness about species in peril. With cooperation and dedication from like-minded organizations, we are all able to have a greater impact on Mexican wolves and American Red Wolves. The goal is not simply for wolves to survive, but to thrive in the wild and become valued members of a healthy ecosystem.
A Year Through A Wolf’s Eyes
Even though cold weather and icy roads may slow our tours and events, many animals become quite active during the winter season.
Most canids are seasonal breeders, meaning they successfully mate only during certain times of the year. For most, it’s the winter season! The gestation period for most members of the dog family is around two months, meaning pups are born between April and May. We call this time of year puppy season!
Wolf pups spend about the first six weeks of their lives in their den. They are born blind and deaf, so they rely on scent and touch to guide them for their first two weeks. Throughout the summer months, the pups start exploring around the den. Playing, socializing with their older siblings, and learning to hunt make the summer fly by.
By fall, the pups are already starting to look like their parents. They’re spunky, playful, and great at pestering mom and dad.
Canid Courtship
The actual mechanics of breeding can look different for each species, but this is how it looks most of the time. This description will get a little graphic, so be prepared for this next part.
The process of mating usually starts with the female urinating, which will have a certain smell and taste when she is ovulating. A wolf’s nose is about 100 times more powerful than a human’s, so just from scent alone, a lot of information is passed between a couple. The male then sniffs, licks, or scratches that urine to confirm ovulation and then urinates over that same spot. The male will seek out the female, and if she is ready, she will deflect her tail to the side and allow him to sniff and lick her genitals, which provides even more information to the male as to her ovulatory state. The male can then attempt to mount the female a few times until he is successful, which can happen over many days.
After successfully mounting the female, a copulatory lock is initiated. This is when the male’s genitals become engorged with blood and locks inside of the female. This is also known as a copulatory tie and can last up to 30 minutes or even an hour.
A male and female stand together during a copulatory lock, or tie.
How Can You Help?
Breeding observations are an essential part of the Endangered Wolf Center’s conservation efforts each year. With the help of volunteers, we can effectively collect important data that will aid in future research on these endangered species.
Over the past three decades, the data gained from these observations has helped us to utilize non-invasive ways to track a female’s cycle, determine potential due dates, foster pups into dens in their native ranges, and many more amazing projects.
We couldn’t do any of this work without our volunteers and donors, who support our organization and spread awareness of these incredible species. Would you like to get more involved in conservation? We need more volunteers to help with education, maintenance, special events, and evening programs. Visit our Volunteers Page to learn about our volunteer program and how to get started.