ST. LOUIS – The Endangered Wolf Center in St. Louis announced that it rescued six endangered Mexican Wolf Pups on May 5.

The Mexican wolf, according to the center, is a keystone species, as less than 300 exist in the wild. 

In a conservation effort for the species, the center said the pups—which were 10 days old—were flown to New Mexico. They plan for the pups to be fostered by two wild packs.

According to the Endangered Wolf Center, a pup foster is a conservation initiative that seeks to increase genetic diversity. 

“This year was a special pup foster to help facilitate, because the pack is very genetically valuable. The father of these pups was actually born from artificial insemination back in 2017, so getting his genetics back into the landscape is a huge conservation win,” said Sarah Holaday, director of Animal Care and Conservation at the Endangered Wolf Center.

The center hopes that the six pups will possess the essential traits needed to help the endangered species. Ever since 2016, the organization has fostered over 52 captive-born pups.