Containment of hybrid wolf through surgical infertilization in Life Wolfalps EU project.

Anthropogenic hybridization is widely considered a threat to biodiversity conservation. Regarding wild wolves (Canis lupus), hybridization with domestic dogs is quite common in Europe and central Italy, while in the Alps, the phenomenon is potentially manageable due to the low number of cases, although timely intervention is necessary to control the presence of hybrid individuals. Traditional control procedures include culling or gonadectomy, but more recently, the interruption of genital pathways (infertilization) has been proposed. The infertility procedure was carried out by CANC and involves the interruption of the reproductive tract (vasectomy or salpingectomy). Surgical fertility control as an alternative to euthanasia is considered an acceptable method by the public for managing wild animal populations. Since wolves exhibit significant social and hierarchical characteristics induced by hormones, the depletion of hormonal stimuli following gonadectomy would cause a profound alteration in pack behavior.