Research
The wolves at the
Wildlife Science Center (WSC) provide opportunities for study
by scientists from many walks of life. High school and college
students use them to learn observation techniques, and hone
their understanding of scientific method. WSC staff assist
students with the hypothesis, methods, and presentation of
results.
Scientists interested
in testing immobilizing agents and techniques work closely
with WSC staff to ensure safe methods are used on free-ranging
animals.
WSC wolves have
been test animals for contraceptive research for many years.
Safe, reversible forms of reproductive inhibitors are critical
for captive and wild management of endangered red and Mexican
gray wolves and other canids.
WSC staff continue
to participate in national research examining genetics of
wolves. In addition, staff is involved in feeding and behavior
studies of red wolves.
Red Wolf Research
The
red wolf program currently maintains about 100 animals in
the wild (80 are radio collared) and about 200 animals in
34 captive facilities. The original mainland release site,
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, hosts a single large,
widely dispersing population of red wolves with neighboring
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. The wild and captive
operations of red wolf recovery have been working together
for many years to better understand the red wolf's biology,
physiology, behavior, genetics and reproduction.
Current research
conducted at WSC will hopefully determine the effectiveness
and feasibility of safe, reversible reproductive inhibitors
that can be applicable for both captive and wild wolf populations.
The slow, time released implant negates the necessity for
invasive surgeries or separation of animals during breeding
season. Also of concern is the effect of the implant on the
behavior of the animal. Hormonal fluctuations are seasonal
and normal and help mold the dynamic hierarchy within a wolf
pack, thus providing the necessary impetus for determining
the pack's "fittest" male and female (i.e. alpha).
If a hormonal implant adversely affects these specific hormone
fluctuations (which in turn affect dominant behavior) then
determination of a pack's "fittest" animals for
reproduction and leadership can be affected in a way that
it would not normally have been.
Along with practical
research there are also physiological studies. Recent genetic
studies indicate that the eastern timber wolf and the red
wolf may actually be one and the same, only subspecies of
one another. This news becomes more of a shock to the scientific
community when it is also believed that this "eastern seaboard" wolf species evolved separately from the gray wolf. Further
studies will continue to shed light on this subject as it
will likely have legal ramifications for the protection of
both red and gray wolves.
