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New Wolves to Arrive in Minnesota Fall 2006
 At this year’s annual Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) meeting in Alpine, Arizona, a decision was made to try something new with the population of Mexican gray wolves. In the fall, the Minnesota Zoo will be acquiring three young female wolves from the Wild Canid Center in Eureka, Missouri, to be housed with our four males. The thing that is unusual is that this transfer is NOT for breeding purposes. Rather, this is a new attempt at managing a large group of wolves in a mixed-sex group without producing pups.
In the past, several facilities have introduced same-sex animals to an already-established pack, but this can be very difficult—especially with females— because of the nature of the wolf pack and social order. New wolves are viewed as intruders and can be injured during the introductions (or have to be separated fairly early due to aggressive behaviors). The plan for the Minnesota introduction is to introduce an opposite-sex group to an already established pack, and to prevent breeding between the animals (see "The Importance of the SSP"). All wolves in the pack will be placed on a birth control implant. This implant will not only prevent breeding in the group, but should (in theory) diminish the aggression in the two hierarchies of the pack when the new wolves arrive. We will also monitor the effectiveness of the implants as part of the data collection for this drug.
If successful, this hormone treatment could be a great management tool for the SSP in managing a complex species without having pups produced in every pack. Check back in early winter to see how we are fairing. Learning is an ongoing process when managing wildlife in zoos!
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