Europe's population of wolf-dog hybrids is growing. In a new paper, scientists warn packs of wolf-dogs could soon erase the genetic identify of wolves.

"We need to address this issue before wolf-dog hybrids back-cross with wolves to the extent that wolf populations will be lost to hybrid swarms, and the conservation of wild populations will become unfeasible," Valerio Donfrancesco, an ecologist at the University of Exeter, said in a news release.

According the latest research, part of the problem is a lack of information, as well as a lack of agreement -- over the details and seriousness of the problem -- among scientists.

"The fact that we know so little about the ecology, behavior and social acceptance of the wolf-dog hybrids adds a layer of concern to the issue," Donfrancesco said.

Scientists and policy makers remain divided over how to deal with the problem of hybrids and free-roaming dogs. Some researchers advocate keeping feral dogs and wolf-dogs in captivity. Others suggest sterilization is the best solution. A few argue culls are the only effective means of control.

"The disagreements emerged from diverging ethical values between scientists of different backgrounds, such as ecologists and geneticists, from the lack of data on the effectiveness of different interventions and from the worry of some scientists that on practical grounds allowing the removal of hybrids would open a legal loophole for the killing of wolves," Donfrancesco said.

But authors of the latest study, published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, warn avoiding the problem won't make it go away. Scientists hope that by talking through their disagreements, they can come to some kind of consensus on the urgency of the problem and begin to pressure stakeholders to address the issue.

With wolf populations of varying sizes found throughout Europe -- and a total population of more than 17,000 -- the problem will require input and cooperation from wide range of researchers and decision makers.

"We hope that by highlighting areas of disagreement and why they occur, we will be able to build a more unified scientific opinion and aid an effective management of this urgent issue," Donfrancesco said.

Related Links
Darwin Today At TerraDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Illegal hunting threatens songbird prized as delicacy: study
Washington (AFP) May 22, 2019
Every year, nearly five million breeding pairs of ortolan buntings - a type of tiny songbird classified as endangered in several countries - migrate from Europe to Africa for the winter. About 300,000 of the birds pass through southwestern France, where they fall prey to hunters who for decades have defied bans on harvesting them in the name of gastronomic tradition. You see, the ortolan bunting is seen by elite chefs and foodies as a rare culinary treat - one that is consumed whole, bones an ... read more