World’s most endangered wolves will be released to the wild near NC’s Outer Banks
Nine of the world’s most endangered wolves will be released into the wild in North Carolina, a milestone for the species, which has spent decades teetering on the brink of extinction.
The American red wolf population dwindled to only 14 wolves in the 1970s, and the only place the wolves live in the wild are along the Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges in North Carolina, according to a news release from Zoo Knoxville.
Now, with the help of conservationists, they’re fighting to make a comeback.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) and the Red Wolf SAFE Program have teamed up to plan the release of nine red wolves into their natural habitat in Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges, according to the release.
The nine wolves include a family and two breeding pairs that are from five different facilities, including Zoo Knoxville in Tennessee, the release said.
The nine wolves are in the first stage of their release, which will allow them to acclimate to the terrain before all fencing is removed from the area and they can roam the refuges, according to officials.
Red wolves once occupied a large region between southern New York to central Texas before their population was driven close to extinction from overhunting and habitat loss, the USFWS said in a statement. By 1973, the species had been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Once the population had shrunk to fewer than 15 total wolves in the wild, the USFWS began an effort to revive the population, according to Zoo Knoxville’s release. The department captured the last 14 wild wolves and established a breeding program. Four wolves from the program were reintroduced to the wild in 1987.
Even with the conservation plan in place, the wolves remain in danger of extinction. The number of red wolves in the wild has once again dwindled to its lowest in years, at about 15 to 17 as of October, according to data from the USFWS. One decade ago, conservationists estimated there were about 120 red wolves in the wild.
Over the years, conservationists have adjusted their game plan to find the best strategy for reinstating the wolves in the wild. The last release was in 2021, according to the USFWS.
“It is so inspirational to see our partners coming together to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to save this national treasure. These releases highlight the important work zoos are doing to save our wildlife and wild places and gives me so much hope for the future of the American red wolf,” Regina Mossotti, program leader for the Red Wolf SAFE Program, said in the release.
One of the wolves scheduled for release, named Garnet, is from the Western North Carolina Nature Center and was brought to the center in 2018. The nature center shared their excitement for the wolves’ release.
“Garnet is a magnificent wolf, and we hope he thrives in the wild,” Animal Curator Erin Oldread said in a statement.
There are 241 wolves captive and part of the species survival plan.
This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 12:30 PM with the headline "World’s most endangered wolves will be released to the wild near NC’s Outer Banks."
