We wanted to update you on our maned wolf, “Jordan,” who turns 40 months old on May 17.
“(On May 11), the veterinary team sedated Jordan the maned wolf to implant birth control drugs under her skin,” said Director of Animal Health Dr. Holly Haefele. “Contraception for a maned wolf? Why would a breeding center do this? Well, it’s complicated.
“And it has to do with managing small populations in limited space. Many of the animals at Fossil Rim contribute their genes to a population that is managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), of which Fossil Rim is a member. The populations are managed to maintain genetic diversity over time, generally 100 years.
“To achieve this, excellent records must be kept of all births and parentage, so that a thorough pedigree is known. A database of this pedigree is maintained that can pair individual animals for breeding based on how unrelated they are, which helps maintain the genetic diversity. Sometimes, due to limitations in holding space or overrepresentation of an individual’s genes, for example, animals are recommended not to breed.
“This is the case with Jordan. But, she also needs to be housed with her brother – hence the contraception. Contraception as a tool in conservation seems counterintuitive, but it is needed occasionally by Fossil Rim to (not) get the job done.”
Jordan, her brother “Francisco,” and her sister “Jessie” were born to parents “Sofia” and “Vinny” at Fossil Rim on January 17, 2018. Maned wolves were first born at Fossil Rim in 1990.
-Dr. Holly Haefele, Director of Animal Health
Hello, you can exchange Jordán to bring him to Peru for a zoo and send them other animals for Jordan and he can be fertile again and his partner here will not be related, can you give me information?
wait for your answer
Sincerely
Mario espinoza
Interzoope@gmail.com
+51 950185100
Thanks for checking in Mario. Jordan is actually a female. The person in charge of the maned wolves knows other facilities with that species, but we are not looking to move her at this time.