Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Anthony Stenger, and I am a zookeeper at the El Paso Zoo and work in the new Chihuahuan Desert area of the zoo that opened up to the public this past November. I work and care for a variety of species in this new habitat area that emphasize on wildlife native to this unique desert ecosystem. One of these species in the area that I help care for is the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi). I have worked with many different species of large carnivores all of over the country in the past, but none can compare to the wolf.
The image of the wolf is ingrained in our minds at an early age through stories and many people have a different interpretation about this misunderstood predator. However, one thing stays the same no matter your viewpoint is how breathtaking the sound of their howl is. Sadly, the howling of wolves is gone in West Texas and was almost eliminated entirely in southwest region of the U.S in the past century. So close in losing this species, that only seven individuals remained. The main reasons for the decline are the same for many other carnivore’s face on our planet, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. As we humans started to expand westward, we established ranches for cattle and the competition for resources began. Fortunately, enough the Unites States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) stepped in and started a recovery program to save the species from extinction. This recovery program lead to wolves being reintroduced back in the southwest U.S. in Arizona and New Mexico. Today, more than 150 wolves are in the wild. But still facing the same pressures.
As Aldo Leopold once said, “Conservation is the state of harmony between men and land,” (Round River, 1972) and this cannot be so true especially with the restoration and preservation of Mexican gray wolves. Some of you may know of ecological impact that returning gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park back in mid-90’s did. Creating a cascading effect in the ecosystem and changing the landscape for the better and restoring it to its previous state. This same concept can be applied to this smaller cousin or subspecies, the Mexican wolf. Educating people here at the zoo on how vital the Mexican gray wolf is just as important as a biologist doing research out in field. Connecting people to nature and wildlife conservation, for everyone to understand the plight and what can be done to aid in preserving and restoring this apex predator and happy to be part of the change.
Join the Texas Wolf Pack – Help bring back the wolf to Texas