The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently implemented an adaptive management plan to minimize hybridization between sympatric populations 

of red wolves (Canis rufus) and coyotes (Canis 

latrans) in northeastern NC. One objective is to 

create and maintain a coyote free zone on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR) 

which represents 20% of the red wolf recovery 

area. Continued hybridization between these species could eliminate unique red wolf genotypes 

through introgression of coyote DNA. To assess 

hybridization risk, it is necessary to know the spatial distribution and number of coyotes. We are 

addressing this question using non-invasive genetic sampling of fecal samples (scat). During 

April and May, scat samples will be collected 

along all refuge roads and GPS coordinates will 

be taken at each 

scat. The scats 

will be assigned 

to species (dog, 

coyote, red fox, 

gray fox, bobcat 

or red wolf) using a newly developed restriction enzyme analysis method of the cytochrome b region of mitochondrial DNA. All coyote 

scats will be genotyped at 3-4 mirosatellite loci to 

identify individuals. The approximate location of 

each coyote in the ARNWR will be plotted using 

downloaded GPS coordinates on a refuge map. Results will be used to determine the spatial distribution 

and extent of coyote colonization within the ARNWR 

and to focus management efforts to decrease hybridization through trapping and removing coyotes. These 

techniques will help implement the adaptive management plan in other portions of the reintroduction area 

and play a key role in efforts to recover the red wolf. 

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Wild wolf population 

in Northeastern 

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Red Wolf News 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

Brian Kelly, the Red Wolf 

Coordinator of Field Projects, accepted the position 

of Mexican Wolf Species 

Coordinator in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He will 

be resigning from the Red 

Wolf Project in April. 

Brian will be most remembered for identifying the 

need and creating the strategy to address hybridization. His other accomplishments in only two years 

with the Red Wolf Program 

are too many to describe. 

 Although he will be greatly 

missed, we wish Brian and 

his family the very best as 

they settle in New Mexico. 

The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program will be fortunate to be under his leadership. 

Using Scat Samples to Manage Red Wolf/Coyote Hybridization 

 January through March 2000

Following is an article by Jennifer Adams, a graduate student at the University of Idaho. The article is a summary 

of her study with Brian Kelly under Dr. Lisette Waits. 

This newsletter is a publication of the US Fish and 

Wildlife Service. 

Compiled by Jennifer Gilbreath, Wildlife Biologist and 

Outreach Coordinator for Red 

Wolf Recovery 

PO Box 1969 

Manteo, North Carolina 27954 

Please send questions or comments to Kathy Whidbee, Red 

Wolf Administrative Assistant 

at Kathy_Whidbee@fws.gov 

Brian Kelly Accepts Position in Albuquerque