Vera

How do you save a species on the brink of extinction? Not without the help of the animals themselves. Each Mexican gray wolf is a precious gift, critical for their continued survival. Birth mothers in particular deserve to be recognized as conservation heroes, especially Vera. 

Vera was born May 26, 2014, at the Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City and transferred to the Endangered Wolf Center (EWC) in St. Louis, MO a year later. At EWC she met her chosen mate, Mack. He was hand-raised and thus exhibited a range of behaviors considered “odd” for a wolf. Vera stepped in and taught him to provide for a pack and function in this dynamic as a breeding partner. 

Together, Vera and Mack brought five litters of critically endangered pups into the world. She was one of the first wolves to participate in cross-fostering efforts, with 16 of her 26 babies introduced into wild packs to increase the genetic health of wolves in the wild. Some of her babies are still living wildlives today, and have produced pups of their own. 

After such a successful life bringing so many beautiful babies into the world, Vera lost her status in her pack and was ostracized. She exhibited stress behaviors, cowering and hiding from the other wolves. She spent her time alone. It was time to bring her to a new home, to rest for the remainder of her days. Thanks to the help from your sponsorship, Southwest Wildlife is that home. 

Mexican Gray Wolves are endangered. Southwest Wildlife has been a long-standing member of the Species Survival Plan for this sub-species of the gray wolf. As a holding facility, Southwest Wildlife covers the entire cost of feeding and caring for these animals, with no contribution from either federal or state agencies.