N.C. welcomes breed pair of Red Wolves
The Red Wolf Center in Columbia, North Carolina, is set to welcome its first-ever breeding pair of Red Wolves. This historic event, a collaboration between North Carolina Wildlife Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Program marks a significant milestone in efforts to conserve and protect the critically endangered Red Wolf.
Neither Red Wolf has produced a litter yet, and this is their first year being selected for breeding under the breeding and transfer plan. However, optimism remains high, as the success rate for Red Wolves breeding in human care has recently risen from 20% to 25% to 38% to 45%.
The Red Wolf Center has a live Red Wolf camera to engage the public in this critical recovery effort, allowing viewers to watch the two wolves in real-time. This offers an opportunity for the public to witness as these wolves acclimate and hopefully contribute to the next generation of their species.
Red Wolves, once abundant in the southeastern central portion of the United States, are now considered the most endangered canid species in the world with less than 20 living in the wild.