Brookfield Zoo helps 7 endangered Mexican wolf pups find a home in the wild

A Mexican wolf pup born at the Brookfield Zoo on April 27 is weighed as part of its physical exam. The pup, along with six of its siblings, were recently flown to New Mexico and placed with wild Mexican wolf packs as part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program.
A Mexican wolf pup born at the Brookfield Zoo on April 27 is weighed as part of its physical exam. The pup, along with six of its siblings, were recently flown to New Mexico and placed with wild Mexican wolf packs as part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. Photo credit Brookfield Zoo Chicago

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Seven endangered Mexican wolf pups, which were born at the Brookfield Zoo in April, have been successfully introduced into the wild in New Mexico, officials announced earlier this week.

The operation was part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, which works to build up the population of Mexican gray wolves by placing zoo-born pups into wild dens.

Zoo officials said the Brookfield puppies were covered in the scent of wild pups that already called the den home — so wild wolf mothers would accept them as their own.

Earlier this year, the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program celebrated its marked 100 wolf pups that have been born in zoos and successfully introduced into wild dens.

“As part of our ongoing collaboration in the program, we were thrilled to once again be able to contribute to this year’s fostering of pups,” said Mark Wanner, associate vice president of animal care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo. “We are extremely proud to be a part of this effort and share its success with our guests and hopefully inspire them to also care about these magnificent creatures that play an important role in the ecosystem.”

Two other Mexican wolf pups, both females, will remain at the Brookfield Zoo. A zoo spokesperson said guests would be able to see the remaining pups in the coming weeks at the Regenstein Wolf Woods habitat. See more photos of the wolf pups below:

Members of the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team give one final health check to the wild-born pups -- and the ones born at Brookfield Zoo -- before they are mixed together into the wild den.
Members of the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team give one final health check to the wild-born pups -- and the ones born at Brookfield Zoo -- before they are mixed together into the wild den. Photo credit Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team
A Mexican wolf pup, born at the Brookfield Zoo on April 27, is examined.
A Mexican wolf pup, born at the Brookfield Zoo on April 27, is examined. Photo credit Brookfield Zoo Chicago
One of two Mexican wolf pups that can be seen at the Brookfield Zoo, shown here exploring its environment.
One of two Mexican wolf pups that can be seen at the Brookfield Zoo, shown here exploring its environment. Photo credit Brookfield Zoo Chicago
One of two Mexican wolf pups that can be seen at the Brookfield Zoo, shown here exploring its environment.
One of two Mexican wolf pups that can be seen at the Brookfield Zoo, shown here exploring its environment. Photo credit Brookfield Zoo Chicago

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Brookfield Zoo Chicago