Rare Litter of Wild Pups Rekindles Hope
There are only about 19 to 21 of these creatures left in the wild, but it's not the first time they've become nearly extinct. Once common in the US, the species was declared extinct in 1980.
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
There are only an estimated 19 to 21 red wolves left in the wild, which is why news that a litter of six red wolf pups entered the world in April 2022 led to such excitement
It’s the first time in four years that a pair of wild red wolves had a wild litter, signaling hope for a species that’s already been brought back from extinction in the wild once before
While red wolves were once common in the U.S., they were targeted by settlers and driven to near extinction
While the wild red wolf population reached a peak of 120 wolves in 2012, the population declined dramatically, primarily due to gunshots and vehicle strikes
As of July 2022, there were 243 red wolves in Red Wolf Species Survival Plan facilities throughout the U.S., including 39 breeding pairs for the 2022 to 2023 breeding season
There are only an estimated 19 to 21 red wolves left in the wild, which is why news that a litter of six red wolf pups — four females and two males — entered the world in April 2022 led to such excitement.1
It’s the first time in four years that a pair of wild red wolves had a wild litter, signaling hope for a species that’s already been brought back from extinction in the wild once before. In a post on social media, staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Red Wolf Recovery Program shared:2
"This new litter is the first wild-born litter of red wolves since 2018. This red wolf pair was formed through the combination of several management actions and the two red wolves subsequently following their natural instincts in pairing, establishing their territory and mating. Every generation yields a new born hope for the red wolf … a cause for joy and celebration!"
Red Wolves Are Among the Most Endangered Animals
While red wolves were once common in the U.S., they were targeted by settlers and driven to near extinction. In 1973, when the Endangered Species Act was put into place, only 17 red wolves remained in the wild. Fourteen of them were placed in captivity while those in the wild disappeared. In 1980, the species was declared extinct in the wild.3
Intense efforts began to save the species, and by 1984 a captive-breeding program had been established and 63 red wolves were living in the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. Over the next decade, more than 60 red wolves were released into the wild into eastern North Carolina. According to the Red Wolf Recovery Program:4
"By 2011, this reintroduction effort culminated in a known population (e.g. radio-collared) of 89 red wolves and in 2012 an estimated population as high as 120 red wolves within the five-county NC NEP [North Carolina nonessential experimental population] area.
This was the first time a large carnivore had been declared extinct in the wild and then reintroduced in the United States. It set the stage for several subsequent reintroduction efforts that were modeled after the Red Wolf Recovery Program, such as gray wolves in Yellowstone and central Idaho, Mexican wolves in the southwestern U.S., California condors, and black-footed ferrets."
While the wild red wolf population reached a peak of 120 wolves in 2012, setbacks have occurred, and wild red wolves have once again suffered at the hands of humans. Gunshots and vehicle strikes are the primary reasons for their latest population decline. Because they’re sometimes mistaken for coyotes and hunted, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has placed bright orange collars on adult red wolves so the public can easily distinguish them from coyotes.
However, there have also been reports of tampering with radio tracking collars and red wolves killed outside of hunting season, which "suggests evidence tampering and foul play," according to The National Wildlife Federation.5 The Red Wolf Recovery Program noted:6
"Today, the total population is estimated to be between 19 and 21, with 10 known via active radio-collars.
The total population is an estimate based on known radio-collared red wolves, adult red wolves with radio collars that quit functioning relatively recently that are likely still on the landscape, and an additional few uncollared adult red wolves that are thought to be on the landscape based on reported sightings and remote sensing cameras, as well as pups that have not reached a year of age and cannot be radio-collared.
Due to declining population size and the mortality of one or both red wolves in established breeding pairs, there were no known red wolf pups born in the wild in 2019, 2020 or 2021, which is the first time that has occurred in over 30 years.
But on April 19, 2022, a wild red wolf litter of 6 pups (4F, 2M) was confirmed on Alligator River NWR from red wolf pair 2225F and 2323F – the first wild red wolf litter born since 2018!"
An Island for Red Wolves
In an effort to further help the red wolf species, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, an island located off the Gulf Coast in Florida, was designated as a site for red wolves in 1990.7 The purpose of the isolated island is to allow a place for red wolf pups to grow up safely without threats from humans, giving them a protected, yet "wild," experience. The juveniles are then translocated to North Carolina to live in the wild.
The father of the six red wolf pups was born in the wild on St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, a sign of hope that the program may have come full circle. As of July 2022, there were 243 red wolves in SSP facilities throughout the U.S., including 39 breeding pairs for the 2022 to 2023 breeding season.8 The Red Wolf Recovery Program shared upon news of the pups’ birth:9
"As the sights and sounds of spring began to unfold on Alligator River NWR … something monumental was also unfolding on the landscape … a new litter of red wolf pups and renewed hope for survival of a species!"
Healthypets Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.