Red wolves are a critically endangered species that was once found throughout much of the southeastern United States — fewer than 30 are still found in the wild today. But conservationists have hope of reviving the wolf species before it’s gone for good. While conducting research on coyotes living in Louisiana, scientists discovered pockets of coyote populations that carry diverse red wolf “ghost alleles,” which could potentially be used to save red wolves from extinction.
Has anybody asked the Red Wolves how they feel about this? Sure, their species is saved but then they will never hear the end of it from the Coyotes.
“Hey Red, how’re you enjoying that beer? I guess you’re glad we shared a ghost gene or two! How about another round for your saviors here?
It may mean the very survival of the species, but at what cost?