After examining a new litter of endangered red wolves born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium last weekend, veterinarians have determined there are actually eight pups rather than the six first spotted on a video monitor in the wolf den.
Zoo staff were able to access the den at the Red Wolf Woods exhibit Wednesday to count the pups and check on their condition when mother Millie, 8, briefly left the den. All pups – four females and four males – appear to be healthy and nursing, zoo spokeswoman Kris Sherman said.
The pups were born over a 30-hour period Sunday and Monday.
Their father, 9-year-old Graham, briefly sniffed around the den Wednesday and gathered straw in his teeth to put around the pups.
“He’s being the dutiful dad,” head veterinarian Karen Wolf said.
It is the first litter of red wolves born on zoo grounds in 29 years.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
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