Are the animals present in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area true wolves or hybrids?
According to scientists, there are three known pure lineages of the Mexican wolf: McBride, Ghost Ranch and Aragon. Geneticists have verified that each of the three lineages consist of purebred Mexican wolves. Regarding the free-ranging population, there have been two incidents of Mexican wolf-dog hybrid litters conceived in the wild, one occurring in New Mexico and the other on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. The IFT humanely euthanized both litters after genetic testing verified they were Mexican wolf-dog hybrids. Both cases involved a female Mexican wolf breeding with a male dog. Aside from the two hybrid litters that have been discovered, there is no evidence to date to suggest hybridization with dogs or other canids is occurring in the free-ranging Mexican wolf population. Genetic testing and analysis of all captured animals will continue to be an important component of the Mexican wolf reintroduction program. Project personnel will continue to investigate genetic da
