![]() In the wild, red wolves typically live five to six years, and as long as 14 years in captivity.Īlthough there are fewer than 20 individuals left living in the wild today, there are over 200 in captive breeding programs across the country. The adult pack members will range and return with food for the pups until they are strong enough to forage on their own. The dens are hard to spot and could be near stream banks, downed logs, sand knolls, drainpipes and culverts. For several weeks after this period, the other members of the pack keep a close eye on the pups, keeping them within the den until they mature. After about 10 days, the pups’ eyes open. This species breeds once a year from January through March, with an average litter size of one to nine pups born between April and May. Red wolf packs have their own home range, and will fight to keep their territory. The young leave the pack after one to three years to begin life on their own. Now it is close to extinction due to aggressive predator-control programs, habitat destruction, and extensive hybridization with coyotes. As early as 1967, the red wolf appeared on the endangered species list. Three main issues threaten the future of this species: loss of habitat, hunting, and red wolves mating with coyotes. ![]() Now confined to North Carolina, this animal has lost more of its historical territory-99.7 percent-than any other large carnivore, including lions, tigers and snow leopards. This wolf originally inhabited much of the United States. The critically endangered red wolf is a smaller, thinner cousin of the gray wolf, and is reddish in color on the head, ears, and legs, and a light tan to black on other parts of the body. There’s More to the Story Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to many animals that are on the critically endangered and endangered species list including three red wolves, female Brave and male Diego and their pup Saluda. This is the world’s only wild population of red wolves. Today 15-20 red wolves call northeastern North Carolina home. By 1987, enough wolves had been bred to begin a reintroduction program. Fish and Wildlife Service to be bred in captivity. Isn’t it Wild? Red wolves were hunted to the brink of extinction in 1980 fewer than 20 wolves were selected by the U.S. ![]()
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