Endangered Mexican wolves welcome 7 pups at Albuquerque zoo

Two endangered Mexican gray wolves housed at Albuquerque zoo are proud parents of seven pups, officials anunced Tuesday.

pups recently came out of ir den for first time. Zookeepers have only been able to view pups by camera so far because mor is being protective. Whenever possible, pups will undergo an exam and ir sexes will be determined.

ABQ BioPark is part of a nationwide captive-breeding network that supports recovery of endangered predators in Southwest U.S. goal of program is to make most genetically diverse matches to improve health of Mexican wolves.

“Every new lobo that we welcome boosts overall survival of wolves in wild,” zoo manr Lynn Tupa said.

latest survey shows re are at least 163 wolves in wild in New Mexico and Arizona. That’s a nearly 25% increase from those counted at end of 2018. Included in population are pups that were born in captivity and n placed with wild packs so y could be raised in a process kwn as cross-fostering.

Albuquerque zoo has been part of breeding effort for years, having welcomed 79 wolf pups since 1983.

latest pups were second litter for wolf pair at zoo. Officials say mortality is often high in litters born to first time mors, and about 30 percent of Mexican wolf pups die by ir first birthday. Two pups that were born last spring did t survive.

Tupa said second litters are generally larger, but staffers were still surprised to see seven pups.