National conservation efforts

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website: “The Mexican wolf is the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America. Once common throughout portions of the southwestern United States, the Mexican wolf was all but eliminated from the wild by the 1970s. In 1977, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated efforts to conserve the species. In 1998, Mexican wolves were released to the wild for the first time in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area within the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area. “

From an original seven animals, the current population of Mexican Gray Wolves in captive care is 281, spanning 55 different institutions. Currently, there are 114 living in the wild as part of species recovery efforts. The arrival of the males represents the continued dedication and important role the Utica Zoo plays in the conservation of this critically endangered species.

Since their initial arrival, the new males have adapted nicely to their new home. They can be described as playful and curious; regularly seen towards the front of their habitat near the viewing platform. Sierra has also adjusted well to her new companions, due to the lack of competition because of the different pecking orders of males and females.

“We’re excited to be able to establish a new home for these four animals,” said Heath. “And we’re especially thrilled to give Sierra new pack mates to howl with again.”