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Ghost Wolves: Science Revives Extinct Species
29 Sep
Summary
- Red wolves were nearly extinct by the mid-1900s.
- Hybridization with coyotes led to genetic diversity loss.
- Scientists use coyote DNA to find and revive red wolves.
The American red wolf, once abundant in the Southeast, faced severe decline due to hunting and hybridization with coyotes. By the mid-1900s, the species was on the brink of extinction. In 1970, the Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a captive breeding program, gathering the last known red wolves to establish a genetic foundation.
This program, founded on a small population, led to concerns about limited genetic diversity. However, a discovery in 2016 revealed that remnants of red wolf DNA, termed 'ghost genetics,' persisted within coyote populations. Scientists are now working to identify and concentrate this hidden genetic material.
Researchers are analyzing coyote scat to locate individuals with significant red wolf ancestry. Promising candidates will be part of small breeding experiments aimed at concentrating this unique DNA. The ultimate goal is to reintroduce this enhanced genetic diversity back into the existing red wolf captive breeding program, potentially revitalizing the species within a decade.
