southwest
pacific research
project
New Guinea
Highland Wild Dog
Welcome To The Southwest
Pacific Research Project
Meet The Director
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James K McIntyre, "Mac", Director, SWPRPAlso the Founder/Director of Field Research for the New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation, Mac is credited with two "first" discoveries -
James "Mac" McIntyre, Director, SWPRPMac, shown here near his home on beautiful Amelia Island, Florida. -
James "Mac" McIntyre, collecting buccal swabs from Village DogsMac found the local residents of Banti Village both friendly and helpful. -
Mac McIntyre and Banti FriendMac's research projects have taken him around the world, with the majority of travels to the Southwest Pacific. -
James "Mac" McIntyre, Village of BantiMac and Banti friend wrangle a Village Dog pup to collect buccal swabs -
James "Mac" McIntyreMac collects buccal swabs from Village Dogs in Banti Village, Papua Province, New Guinea
James K McIntyre, "Mac"
- Director, Southwest Pacific Research Project
- Founder/Director of Field Research, New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation
James "Mac" McIntyre was born and raised in New Jersey, leaving home at the age of 17 to attend Emory and Henry College on a football scholarship. After transferring to the University of Idaho, he completed his undergraduate studies and graduate work with degrees in Zoology, Chemistry and Education.
McIntyre’s diverse career path includes work on a cattle ranch in north Idaho, animal control services, lab animal technician at Idaho State University, veterinary technician, and Okapi capture campaign team member in the Eturi Forest in the Congo. In 1995, and McIntyre was the first researcher to identify and document a population of intersexual pigs on the Islands of Vanuatu, a species found nowhere else in the world. He also served as a Zoologist at White Oak Plantation, a private breeding facility for endangered species, and was a head mammal keeper at the Bronx Zoo, New York.
McIntyre’s diverse career path includes work on a cattle ranch in north Idaho, animal control services, lab animal technician at Idaho State University, veterinary technician, and Okapi capture campaign team member in the Eturi Forest in the Congo. In 1995, and McIntyre was the first researcher to identify and document a population of intersexual pigs on the Islands of Vanuatu, a species found nowhere else in the world. He also served as a Zoologist at White Oak Plantation, a private breeding facility for endangered species, and was a head mammal keeper at the Bronx Zoo, New York.
2016 saw another groundbreaking first for McIntyre, when he was able to locate and document a healthy, viable, reproductive population of New Guinea Highland Wild Dogs living high in the remote Puncak Jaya Range in Papua Province, New Guinea. Prior to this discovery, the HWD hadn't been confirmed in its natural range in over half a century and it's status in the wild was unknown. Please visit the New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation to learn more.
McIntyre, a retired high school biology instructor and track coach, resides on beautiful Amelia Island in Northeast Florida with his pitbull, Deacon.
McIntyre, a retired high school biology instructor and track coach, resides on beautiful Amelia Island in Northeast Florida with his pitbull, Deacon.
Resume for James McIntyre
Message From The Director
When I first embarked on my career as field researcher, I could not yet begin to imagine the many incredible adventures, challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. Looking back now, I realize and am grateful for my good fortune and feel very privileged to be able to share these experiences and knowledge with others.
In 1995, while continuing my studies of porcine intersexuality, I had the unique privilege of being the first to document a unique, previously unidentified population of intersex pigs in Vanuatu in the Southwest Pacific. During my trip, I was contacted by my colleague, friend and mentor, Dr. I Lehr Brisbin, who requested I extend my trip to travel to the remote Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea. I was dispatched to search for the elusive Highland Wild Dog (similar to or the same as the New Guinea Singing Dog). 20 years later, after 3 1/2 years of persistence and perseverance, I was able to return to the island of New Guinea. This time the western side, Papua Province, to once again pursue Bris’ and my mutual passion - documenting the existence of New Guinea Highland Wild Dogs, which many thought to be extinct.
When traveling in third world countries, especially on the island of New Guinea, logistical challenges are an everyday occurrence. Nonetheless, with some luck and determination, I was able to take part in the documentation of Highland Wild Dogs for the first time in over 50 years. I have long realized the importance of the HWD as a key “missing link” canid that held the answers to so many questions that science has yet to reveal, and this was a deeply satisfying experience.
When I first embarked on my career as a field researcher, I could not yet begin to imagine the many incredible adventures, challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. Looking back now, I realize and am grateful for my good fortune and feel very privileged to be able to share these experiences with others. I am personally honored and humbled to be party to not just one but two scientific discoveries. I hope you enjoy the website and find the information not only useful, but interesting, stimulating and inspiring.
When traveling in third world countries, especially on the island of New Guinea, logistical challenges are an everyday occurrence. Nonetheless, with some luck and determination, I was able to take part in the documentation of Highland Wild Dogs for the first time in over 50 years. I have long realized the importance of the HWD as a key “missing link” canid that held the answers to so many questions that science has yet to reveal, and this was a deeply satisfying experience.
When I first embarked on my career as a field researcher, I could not yet begin to imagine the many incredible adventures, challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. Looking back now, I realize and am grateful for my good fortune and feel very privileged to be able to share these experiences with others. I am personally honored and humbled to be party to not just one but two scientific discoveries. I hope you enjoy the website and find the information not only useful, but interesting, stimulating and inspiring.
- Mac