Gray wolves released into Eastern Arizona may increase genetic diversity

April 29, 2013

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is monitoring two Mexican gray wolf pups it plans to release soon in Eastern Arizona.

Spokesman Jim Paxon says the goal is to have as many 'wild-born and wild-raised' wolves as possible to minimize interaction with people or their property.

“They come from a different genetic background, a different lineage. So as they have pups and those pups disperse and form breeding pairs and ultimately packs, they help the genetic diversity,” Paxon said.

Paxon says genetic diversity in the pups should increase the strength and numbers of the animals in the future.