Question

In the United States, the rare red wolf (Canis lupus) has been known to hybridize with coyotes (Canis latrans), which are much more numerous. Although red wolves and coyotes differ in terms of morphology, behavior and DNA, genetic evidence suggests that the living red wolf individuals are actually hybrids. Red wolves are designated as an endangered species and hence receive legal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Some people think that their endangered species status should be withdrawn because the remaining red wolves are hybrids, not members of a “pure” species. Do you agree? Why or why not? Support your stance with examples.

Answer 1

I agree that the actual “Red Wolf” should be taken off of the endangered species list since technically, it no longer exists. If what the genetic evidence suggests is true, a new species, a hybrid of the ‘Red Wolf’ and the coyotes have intermixed and created a hybrid. This hybrid is essentially an evolution of the red wolf in to a similar, but obviously different animal.If an animal is endangered, then it deserves some sort of protection. But in this case, the protection provided does not apply to the animal it was originally intended for. This could pose a serious problem.Although the red wolf is protected, people will, of course, try to get around the law. If debated, one could say that the animal that they were hunting was not on the endangered species list. The animal they want is a ‘hybrid’ of that animal and therefore no crime was committed.Basically, the “Red Wolf” should be removed from the endangered species list and a more specific description should be added if the red wolf hybrid is actually endangered.

I agree that the red wolf hybrids should be removed from the endangered species list because they were never a pure species to begin with.If they continue to hybridize with the coyotes the red wolf gene would continue to go on, resulting in the reproduction of both red wolf and coyote offspring. There should not be a reason that the red wolves should be on the endangered species list if this (hybridization) would do nothing but increase the number of red wolves since they are not a “pure” species. The government should be more concerned about the population of the coyotes in the long-run not the red wolf population that could just continue to reproduce. If you do not even need a red wolf to reproduce another red wolf offspring what would be the point of trying to conserve or save this hybrid species of Canis or wolf. This would do nothing but increase the gene pool and spread the population of the red wolf and diminish that of the coyote.