ABOUT THE GULF COAST CANINE PROJECT
The Gulf Coast Canine Project’s goals are to understand the genetic ancestry and ecology of wild canids persisting along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The project arose out of reports of large-bodied, red wolf-like canids in southwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas. Our early research on Galveston Island, Texas, confirmed that Galveston Island coyotes have large amounts of red wolf genetic ancestry and were unlike coyotes elsewhere. Following this discovery, we have live trapped and radio-collared canids along the southwestern Louisiana coast to determine taxonomy of canid populations with comprehensive genetic, morphological, and ecological analyses.
Red wolves once roamed across the southeastern United States, until human activities caused their population to crash and the US Fish & Wildlife Service decided to remove remnant red wolves from the wild in the early 1980s. Yet, before they were removed from their last wild habitats along the Gulf Coast, red wolves hybridized with coyotes. Since the 1980s, when red wolves disappeared from the Gulf Coast, there have been scattered reports of wolf-like canids in remote regions of LA and TX. Our 2018 research on Galveston Island, TX, confirmed what locals knew for decades, that indeed some coyotes along the Gulf Coast have high amounts of red wolf genetics, and are unlike coyotes elsewhere. Hybridization was once thought to the greatest conservation threat to the red wolf, but now historic hybridization may be key to the species recovery.
We are diligently working to understand these unique coyotes. Red wolves are still critically endangered and Gulf Coast coyotes are reservoirs of lost red wolf genetic ancestry that can bolster the small and vulnerable red wolf population. Additionally, Gulf Coast coyotes represent a one of a kind population of coyotes that may behave and respond to environmental change differently than other coyotes.
To understand the effects of genetic ancestry behavior and physiology of wild Gulf Coast canines, we are:
Most importantly, we are using our exciting discoveries to work with local collaborators to promote co-existence and tolerance of the unique wild, Gulf Coast canine population. Our vision is to develop regional pride and interest in Gulf Coast canines while ensuring the persistence of red wolves into the 21st century through the revival of unique genetic ancestry found in Gulf Coast coyotes, who continue to thrive in their native Gulf Coast habitats.
- Dr. Kristin Brzeski, Director
Red wolves once roamed across the southeastern United States, until human activities caused their population to crash and the US Fish & Wildlife Service decided to remove remnant red wolves from the wild in the early 1980s. Yet, before they were removed from their last wild habitats along the Gulf Coast, red wolves hybridized with coyotes. Since the 1980s, when red wolves disappeared from the Gulf Coast, there have been scattered reports of wolf-like canids in remote regions of LA and TX. Our 2018 research on Galveston Island, TX, confirmed what locals knew for decades, that indeed some coyotes along the Gulf Coast have high amounts of red wolf genetics, and are unlike coyotes elsewhere. Hybridization was once thought to the greatest conservation threat to the red wolf, but now historic hybridization may be key to the species recovery.
We are diligently working to understand these unique coyotes. Red wolves are still critically endangered and Gulf Coast coyotes are reservoirs of lost red wolf genetic ancestry that can bolster the small and vulnerable red wolf population. Additionally, Gulf Coast coyotes represent a one of a kind population of coyotes that may behave and respond to environmental change differently than other coyotes.
To understand the effects of genetic ancestry behavior and physiology of wild Gulf Coast canines, we are:
- Live trapping canids along the Gulf Coast to collect genetic samples and morphology data.
- Determining taxonomy with comprehensive genetic and morphological analyses.
- Identifying historical red wolf ancestry and ghost alleles not present in extant red wolves.
Most importantly, we are using our exciting discoveries to work with local collaborators to promote co-existence and tolerance of the unique wild, Gulf Coast canine population. Our vision is to develop regional pride and interest in Gulf Coast canines while ensuring the persistence of red wolves into the 21st century through the revival of unique genetic ancestry found in Gulf Coast coyotes, who continue to thrive in their native Gulf Coast habitats.
- Dr. Kristin Brzeski, Director
