On the morning of May 4th, Mexican gray wolf F1143 gave birth to a single pup (f1505) – a robust little girl nicknamed “Trumpet” for her loud squeals. In addition to being adorable, the critically endangered kiddo is a valuable contribution to the recovery of her rare and at-risk species.

Under Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) protocols, captive born pups must be checked during certain milestones in their development. Wolf Conservation Center staff checked in when the pup was 10 days old to determine the size of the litter (in this case a single pup) and take stock of the pup’s health, and again today at her two-month mark to record her heart rate and weight, and administer wormer and the first of a series of Distemper/Parvo vaccinations.

Dr Renee Bayha VMD, a veterinarian who donates her time and expertise to the WCC, led the health exam and confirmed Trumpet to be in great health! Furthermore, in our efforts to raise awareness for Mexican gray wolves and our efforts to recover them, the Center invited a global audience to join the wellness check in real-time via Facebook’s new live streaming application.

 

So unbeknownst to Trumpet, her global fan base has helped her become a powerful presence in the fight to restore Mexican wolves to their rightful place in on the wild landscape!

Background

The Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) or “lobo” is the most genetically distinct lineage of wolves in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the most endangered mammals in North America. By the mid-1980s, hunting, trapping, and poisoning caused the extinction of lobos in the wild, with only a handful remaining in captivity. In 1998 the wolves were reintroduced into the wild as part of a federal reintroduction program under the Endangered Species Act. Today in the U.S., there is a single wild population comprising only 97 individuals – a decrease from 110 counted at the end of 2014.