Page 7 - Gateways_2017-2018 Winter

CONSERVATION Switched at Birth Mateo is one of the Mexican gray wolf pups who joined the pack at Regenstein Wolf Woods
Although gray wolves once were widely distributed earlier this year. He and sister Springer are thriving.
around the world, many populations are now struggling
to survive. But they are receiving help from initiatives such as the U.S. The recommendation is significant because it will advance the
Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. Since every science of managing reproduction of this critically endangered species.
Mexican gray wolf alive today is descended from seven wolves rescued Over the last 20 years, the SSP has frozen gametes from both male and
from near extinction, successful recovery depends upon diversifying female wolves. These gametes, which are cells used for reproduction,
the gene pool. potentially can help boost future populations.

One strategy to bolster genetic diversity is cross-fostering pups. As for the San Mateo Pack, located in New Mexico, U.S. Fish and
Very young pups born in the wild are transferred to a den site in a zoo, Wildlife biologists reported that the wolf pack was still together as
while zoo-born pups are placed in a wild den site. In 2016, our pups of August. The biologists provide a supplemental food cache to help
Blaze and Brooke were transferred to a den site in Arizona to be raised increase the chances of survival for the pack’s adults and the genetically
by wild parents, but until last spring, a two-way foster of Mexican diverse litter of pups.
wolves had never taken place.

On April 22, our Zana, age 5, and Flint, 7, had a litter of five healthy
puppies at Regenstein Wolf Woods. Soon after, eight pups were born to
wild wolf parents in the San Mateo Pack in New Mexico. The timing of
the births was ideal because pups involved in fostering must be close
to the same age.

On May 3, two of the new Brookfield Zoo pups traveled with
Chicago Zoological Society animal care staff to New Mexico and were
successfully placed in the wild den site of the San Mateo Pack. In turn,
we received male Mateo and female Springer from the wild pack, and
they were introduced to Zana and her litter for rearing.

As of this writing, Mateo and Springer are both nursing heartily and
growing at the same rate as their zoo-born siblings. Zana cares for her
foster pups equally, as do Flint and the rest of the pack.

The Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), a multizoo
breeding and management program of the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA), has recommended that the Brookfield Zoo pack stay
together in 2018—although in a different configuration this winter.
The wolves will be separated by gender, and during the breeding
season, staff from AZA’s Reproductive Management Center will work
with our animal care and veterinary staff to artificially inseminate Zana
with banked semen from a genetically valuable male. This pairing will
increase the genetic value of any future offspring from Zana.

Baby in a Corner The room in Hamill Family Play Zoo features a quiet area where siblings
can stay within view while they play with toys and flip through animal-
AMENITIES Everyone loves zoo babies. This has been a banner themed books. In the restroom area of BZ Red Hots, a privacy door is
provided for those moms who prefer reduced distractions.
year for newborns, with young otters, sea lions, reindeer,
and wolves joining the animal team here at Brookfield Zoo. Thanks go to DuPage Medical Group for its sponsorship support of
But we care about human babies, too. We are continually upgrading the rooms for nursing moms.
our amenities for guests, and with that in mind, we recently refreshed
the décor in our rooms for nursing moms to help make the experience
more enjoyable.
We offer two areas moms can use to enjoy privacy and an
opportunity to relax while nursing their baby.

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