The Wild Canid Center Biography

Biographical Sketch

Popularly known as the Wild Canid Center, the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center was founded in 1971 by noted naturalist Dr. Marlin Perkins, his wife Carol, and a group of individuals concerned about the plight of canids. It is a private, nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the wolf and other wild canids. The WCSRC is located on sixty-five isolated, wooded acres within Washington University's Tyson Research Center approximately 20 miles southwest of St. Louis, Missouri. This small facility is the premier canid conservation, education, reproduction and research center. There are many imitators; however, we remain, per the United States Fish and Wildlife Service wolf program coordinators, "the cornerstone" of their programs.

The Wild Canid Center:

• Is the only American Zoo and Aquarium Association accredited wolf facility in the world.
  
• Sponsored the first meeting of wolf biologists in 1971
  
• Hosted the first two International Symposium on Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in Washington D.C. in 1974 and St. Louis in 1977
  
• Was the first institution to participate in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's red wolf and Mexican gray wolf captive breeding programs
  
• Helped recover the red wolf population from 14 wolves to 160 in captivity and over 70 in the wild
  
• Helped recover the Mexican gray wolf population from 5 wolves to 235 in captivity and over 40 in the wild
  
• Is a steering committee member of the red wolf, Mexican gray wolf, and maned wolf Species Survival Plans of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association
  
• Has been the birth site of more Mexican gray wolves born in captivity than any other U.S. facility (over 45%)
  
• In December 1993 was the first of two USFWS cooperators to exchange Mexican gray wolves with a Mexican institution
  
• Is the birth site of more Mexican gray wolves selected for release in the southwestern U.S. than any other facility in the United States or Mexico
  
• Is the birthright of all the packs of Mexican gray wolves now roaming free in the Southwest (they or their parents were born and raised at the Wild Canid Center)
  
• Has been the birth site of 30 of the red wolves born in captivity
  
• Contributed one of the first red wolves to be reintroduced into the wild in North Carolina
  
• Raised the female red wolf that was the first to give birth in the wild
  
• Is the birthright of over 70% of the red wolves now roaming free in North Carolina
  
• Raised the male Mexican wolf that was the first to sire wild-born pups in Arizona
  
• Was the birthright of the female Mexican gray wolf that was the first to give birth to wild-born pups in New Mexico
  
• Was the birth site of the first litter of maned wolves to be reared by both parents in almost a decade
  
• Was one of first two U.S. facilities selected to breed swift foxes for release
  
• Leads several Three-Year Action Plan projects for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and SSP: semen collection, cryopreservation and assisted reproduction; husbandry training
  
• Forged partnerships with zoos, non-governmental organizations and government entities in Mexico and the United States to standardize husbandry on both sides of the border to enhance recovery for the Mexican gray wolf
  
• Conducts nutritional research that benefits endangered canids (in partnership with Purina Mills, Inc. developed Mazuri Exotic Canine used widely in the industry, and Mazuri Maned Wolf Diet)
  
• Sponsors noninvasive behavioral research on wolves onsite and in their natural habitat; resource for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, and professionals on sabbatical
  
• Maintains a library and data bank for the use of a wide variety of people ranging from elementary students to international scientists
  
• Hosted approximately 58,000 visitors in 2003 (approximately 75% are children); presented programs to well over 500,000 over its history

Unlike many other wolf facilities, the WCSRC is not a refuge for abandoned pet wolves. Its most important mission is the rearing of endangered wolves for reintroduction; for that reason it is open to the public only by appointment and for a specific part of the wolves? life cycle. As a cooperator with the USFWS, the Wild Canid Center does not receive any funding for the support of these federal animals. As a nonprofit, it raises funds to maintain these captive animals and to assist in their reintroduction.

The other important mission of the WCSRC is to increase public awareness regarding the plight of the wolf and other endangered species internationally. It utilizes publications, educational programs and its membership to further this goal. The Wild Canid Center sponsors individuals and groups doing noninvasive behavioral research on wolves onsite and in their natural habitat. Over the years the Wild Canid Center has become a major wildlife resource and educational center. The WCSRC has established a library and fills requests for information from scholars of all ages.

The Wild Canid Survival and Research Center has been a forerunner in the preservation of North American wildlife-especially the wolf. This premier wolf facility has made many substantial contributions over the past 32 years and promises to continue that tradition.

Daytime and evening programs both on and off-site are offered year round. Memberships and Adopt-A-Wolf sponsorships are available. Please call (636) 938-5900 for additional information or visit our website at http://www.wolfsanctuary.org.