TPCI Featured in The Battalion’s Aardwolf Research Story

Twin Pine Conservation Institute was recently interviewed by The Battalion, Texas A&M University’s student newspaper, for a story about new research mapping aardwolf chromosomes. The article, “Researchers map aardwolf chromosomes for first time,” was published on October 21, 2026.

TPCI Executive Director Sheri Sublett spoke with reporter Sam McMahan about TPCI’s collaboration with Texas A&M University and the role the institute’s aardwolf samples played in the research. Samples from aardwolves imported by TPCI from South Africa helped the Texas A&M team grow cells in the laboratory and study the animals’ chromosomes.

The research offers scientists a new way to examine aardwolf genetics and evolutionary history. The team found similarities between aardwolf chromosomes and those of spotted hyenas and domestic cats, along with differences that help distinguish aardwolves from spotted hyenas.

In the interview, Sheri also discussed why aardwolves can be challenging to study in the wild: they are nocturnal and spend much of their time in underground burrows. TPCI is working with Nottingham Trent University on research approaches, including radio collars, to help scientists learn more about aardwolves in their natural habitat.

We appreciate The Battalion’s interest in this work and the opportunity to share how collaborations between conservation organizations and researchers can expand knowledge about a little-studied species.

Read the full article, “Researchers map aardwolf chromosomes for first time,” in The Battalion.