Past hybridization among closely related species can leave traces of genetic variation from endangered or even extinct species in the DNA of present-day animals. This phenomenon, known as ghost introgression, is often overlooked but is a reservoir of preserved genetic variation from endangered or extinct species found in present-day genomes of the related common species. These hidden reservoirs could be essential for conserving adaptive potential in the future. This project re-envisions the conservation value of ghost introgression and how it can be leveraged to support endangered species recovery. The project will characterize the ecology and population dynamics of Gulf Coast canids that carry varying amounts of red wolf ghost ancestry in their coyote genomes and inhabit a broad geographic range. First it will develop a non-invasive genetic tool to monitor and assess the ecological conditions that promote the persistence of red wolf ghost ancestry. Further, the tool will be used to identify individuals of high conservation value, as measured by their degree of unique red wolf ghost ancestry and thus have the greatest potential to resuscitate endangered red wolf ghost genetic variation. The conservation partner, the Endangered Wolf Center, will then implement a short-term breeding experiment to enhance ghost ancestry based on a careful pairing design in a captive breeding facility. The project integrates information and efforts across communities and organizations to pioneer