Page 41 - The Black Range Naturalist Vol. 4, No. 3

Bound for Mexico

received their first shots. At six weeks of age, even with virtually no human contact during their life, they remained placid while being handled for the first time in their life. They had RFID (radio frequency identification) tags implanted, their blood was drawn, they were physically inspected for parasites and to assess general health, and they were given those shots.
The RIFD tag enables researchers to access historical and identification information about the subject (in this case a wolf) without encumbering it with weighty tracking equipment. The medical assessment ensures the wolf will not introduce disease into the wild population and will help maximize the success of the reintroduction effort.
The Mexican Gray Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) has been forced to the edge of extinction by our direct and indirect actions. Some ranch operations have joined the efforts of Mexican and American agencies and various non-governmental organizations to keep the Mexican Gray Wolf from going the way of so many subspecies/species we have destroyed.
Adult Mexican Gray Wolves are somewhat smaller than domesticated German Shepherds. The pups of the species are cute, cuddly, and remarkably calm when receiving their first shots.
On May 25 of this year, five pups at a captive breeding facility in the Black Range
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Andrew Lincourt, of Kingston, (left) and Megan Perry (below) could not resist the photo op and bonding experience. “Who wants to hold a pup?” Ask the question and get out of the way.
This event was one of the few interactions these pups will have with humans during their
life. Three weeks later they were given more shots, and the process continues on through a program to familiarize the wolves with the natural world. And then, off to Chihuahua to be introduced into the wild. It will be a hard life, full of human induced danger and the normal travails of survival.