Launch of a canine conservation program – The Source

Washington University in St. Louis and the Living Earth Collaboration are part of a new Missouri-based conservation initiative led by the Saint Louis Zoo. In collaboration with the Endangered Wolf Center, scientists seek to answer ecological and health questions about canids – red foxes, gray foxes and coyotes – as well as bobcats, which live in close association with canids.

Researchers are studying where these native Missouri animals live, their health, and whether these animals are appropriate indicators of ecosystem health.

The project works on two ecologically distinct study sites: a rural area in Tyson Research Center, the University of Washington Environmental Field Station near Eureka, Missouri; and a suburban area at Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, located in northern St. Louis County. The project team includes Solny Adalsteinssonprincipal investigator at the Tyson Research Center, and Karen DeMatteoLecturer in Environmental Studies in Arts & Sciences.

Learn more about the St. Louis Zoo or the Tyson Research Center websites.