How Can Genetics Support Red Wolf Restoration?

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A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

Red Wolf Coalition, Inc
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Genetics and conservation biology hold the keys to long-term red wolf survival. Advocates can help!

$15,245

raised by 34 people

$10,000 goal

Why are red wolves in danger of extinction?

A combination of factors both past and present have brought the red wolf close to extinction. At present, some of the key factors are:

  1. Genetic vulnerability
  2. Small population
  3. Habitat loss
  4. Human-wildlife clashes

Extending research and conservation efforts through a pioneering genetic test

$20,000 is urgently needed to fund the development of a genetic test for red wolf ancestry in wild southeastern canids using scat samples. The Red Wolf Coalition will contribute $10,000 to this important project if we can raise the additional $10,000 through contributions by private citizens.













Expanding genetic frontiers to avert species extinction and promote biodiversity

The Red Wolf Coalition is receiving an increasing number of photos and videos of large red wolf-like canids from regions throughout the Southeast. These images and reports from the red wolf's historical range are of interest to pre-eminent researchers in the fields of genetics and conservation biology.* But these valuable images and reports of sightings are just the beginning of emerging methods and applications through science . 

Promoting pioneering discoveries by connecting geneticists to citizen scientists

Of primary and urgent importance to scientists and to red wolf recovery managers is the genetic make-up of these animals. While analysis of tissue and blood can determine red wolf ancestry in an animal, it's difficult to get such samples. Scat is easier to obtain than tissue, and a network of citizens is needed to contribute to this field work. Under the guidance of researchers using science protocols, scat samples can be collected and sent directly to geneticists for sequencing in order to determine red wolf ancestry in wild canids. But first, a genetic test using scat samples must be developed. 

How will the application of this genetic test benefit the wild red wolf population?

It is possible that small, isolated populations of red wolves may persist in remote regions of their historical range. Therefore, the need to extend research and conservation efforts into these areas is urgent. This project has the potential to contribute to invigorating the chances for the red wolf's survival in the wild. It can help answer emerging questions about the areas presently inhabited by red wolf-like canids as additional regions for reintroduction of red wolves are considered. Animals carrying red wolf ancestry could serve as new founders under an expansion of the Red Wolf Recovery Plan.

Is the mission of the Red Wolf Coalition consistent with this project?

Yes! The Red Wolf Coalition advocates for the long-term survival of red wolf populations by teaching about the red wolf and by fostering public involvement in red wolf conservation!

The Researchers

*Dr. Bridgett M. vonHoldt - Director of the North American Canine Ancestry Project at Princeton University and the lead geneticist on the Gulf Coast Canine Project.

*Dr. Kristin E. Brzeski - Head of the Brzeski Conservation Genetics Lab at Michigan Technological University, conducting research and education focused on the management, ecology, and conservation of wildlife. Her work includes the Gulf Coast Canine Project

*Dr. Joseph W. Hinton - Senior Research Scientist at the Wolf Conservation Center. He works on the ecology and conservation of red wolves and with the Gulf Coast Canine Project.

Infographic by Mitch Rand, Red Wolf Review

Map: USFWS


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