Neither big nor bad, the wolf is among the most misunderstood of all animals.

Though wolves have long been celebrated in the folklore of many cultures, myths of bloodthirsty creatures that howl at the moon still persist. Wolves were once trapped, sho and poisoned by ranchers and government agents. Deliberate extermination all but wiped out wolves in this country. Now, in a reversal of attitude, people are trying to save them. Lincoln Park Zoo is joining the fight against extinction by adding Mexican wolves, the most endangered of all wolf species, to its collection.

Three male Mexican wolves made the move to Lincoln Park this winter and plans call for a female to join the pack next year. Thanks to a generous donation from the John Meeker family, the young trio will made its debut in the spring of 1996 in the newly renovated wolf exhibit, formerly the timber wolf habitat. "The addition of Mexican wolves to Lincoln Park's collection represents another important promise to conservation--a promise to do whatever we can to ensure endangered species a chance for survival," says Lincoln Park Zoo Director Kevin Bell.

Wolves are very social animals, living in small packs and usually mating with one partner for life. They use scent marking and howling to mark territory and communicate with each other and other packs. The Mexican wolf, or "el lobo" as it is known in much of its native region, once roamed through southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas south to central Mexico. Added to the endangered species list in 1976, the Mexican wolf is the most genetically distinct subspecies of the grey wolf. Considered extinct in the wild in the United States, there may be a few of these elusive animals left in Mexico, but wild sightings have not been confirmed since 1980, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Little is known about these animals as they were practically eradicated before anyone decided to study them. Much of the available information comes from trappers' journals and reports.

Because so many misconceptions still exist, public education is critical to the ultimate survival of Mexican and other endangered wolves. A captive population of less than 150 animals is now the sole hope for the future of el lobo. Captive breeding at zoos like Lincoln Park is the first step in the Mexican wolf recovery program; introducing a select group of wolves back into the wild is the next. Plans call for releasing some Mexican wolves in specific areas of Arizona and New Mexico as early as spring of 1997. Public support of wolf reintroduction programs is essential in the fight to bring this animal back from the brink of extinction.

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to furthering public awarness and developing that support. Educating visitors about Mexican wolves and other endangered species is central to the zoo's mission.