The offspring born to the female Mexican wolf of the Pipestem pair have been confirmed as hybrids. The genetic analysis revealed that (1) F628 is the mother of the pups, (2) M190 is not the father, and (3) the pups are not Mexican wolves. The genetic analysis could not determine for certain what the father is. However, the results indicate that the father is most likely a domestic or feral dog, or wolf x dog hybrid. The phenotypic traits of the pups supports the finding that these pups resulted from such a cross-breeding.
The whole Pipestem group, which included the adult male, adult female and offspring, were removed from the wild in May of this year at the request of a private landowner on whose property the wolves had been frequenting and killing livestock. They were all held in captivity at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge where the adults remain. In keeping with the Service
