New Pups in Town

Today, a litter of Mexican wolf pups was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The pups will be off exhibit while their mother raises them in their den until they are about 4 weeks old. Visitors will be able to view the pups via a live video feed from a camera installed in the den starting early next week.

This is the fourth successful litter of Mexican wolves born at the Columbus Zoo. The endangered Mexican wolf has been exhibited at the Zoo since 1992, when the Zoo became an active participant in the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan.

Mexican wolves have been extinct in the wild since 1980. Historically, they could be found throughout western Texas, central Arizona and northern Mexico. However, after a decrease in natural prey due to overhunting by humans, the Mexican wolf began attacking livestock. This led to efforts to eradicate the species.

Posted by Ron at April 29, 2004 08:33 PM