A portrait of a a red wolf.

1195789237

A portrait of a a red wolf.

Photo by: MattCuda

MattCuda

The Battle is on to Save North Carolina's Rare Red Wolf

By: Lucy Sherriff

There are less than 10 wild red wolves left in the world and there’s a fierce battle going on to save them. The wolves, a rare red species, are only found in North Carolina, despite having once roamed throughout the eastern and south central US.

April 06, 2021

A mix of urban development and conflict with landowners led to their numbers rapidly dwindling, and in the 1970s, the majority of the remaining wild wolves were taken into captivity in an attempt to save the species.

For years, a program run by the USFWS to boost the wolves’ numbers by breeding pups in captivity and releasing them in the wild looked as though the wolves might be saved. The program was so successful, in fact, that the gray wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone was modeled on it. In 2011, there were as many as 130 red wolves back in the wild, but soon things started to go drastically wrong.

By 2016, conservation group Defenders of Wildlife described the wolf population numbers as being “pretty terrible”. The group blames a strange turn in USFWS’ approach for the drastic decline. For reasons unknown, the USFWS essentially cancelled its own reintroduction program, and subsequently was taken to court by a number of environmental groups, including Defenders of Wildlife.

Young Aggressive Red Wolf

1181724264

Young Aggressive Red Wolf

Photo by: Mark Kostich

Mark Kostich

In January, the district court of North Carolina ruled the USFWS must present a plan to resume the conservation program by March 1, and the plaintiffs would have an opportunity to respond to the new plan.

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), the group representing the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, and Animal Welfare Institute plaintiffs, released a statement saying the plan was inadequate.

A portrait of a red wolf

1195788578

A portrait of a red wolf

Photo by: MattCuda

MattCuda

The SELC asked the court to order the USFWS to immediately release eight red wolves over the next year, rather than the two the USFWS had committed to.

“Conservation groups also requested that the court retain ongoing supervision over implementation of the USFWS plan,” said Sierra Weaver, lead attorney on the case. “The conservation groups pointed out that USFWS made no attempt to suggest that its offered commitment of releasing two wolves over the next year would be sufficient to remedy the problems from its lack of recent conservation efforts, specifically no mated pairs of red wolves or red wolf litters in the wild since 2018, or ensure against extinction of the wild red wolf while litigation is pending,” she added.

The red wolf is safeguarded under the Endangered Species Act, although it is not illegal to kill one if it is caught in the act attacking you or your livestock. The USFWS also has the authority to issue kill permits to landowners, who can claim the wolves have been endangering human or animal life. Over the past few years, the USFWS has issued a number of lethal take permits, including several to the same individual.

The main reason for the population plummet, however, was USFWS’ decision to no longer release wolves into the wild. Between 2019 and 2020, for the first time in 31 years, no red wolf pups were born in the wild.

The court ruled USFWS’ prohibition on releasing wolves from captivity into the wild in North Carolina was “likely” to lead to the extinction of the red wolf in the wild.

“The agency’s bar on captive releases would effectively doom the red wolf to extinction in the wild,” Weaver added.

Although the environmental organizations remain hopeful the red wolf can make its second comeback, the decision will rest on the court, and whether it will order the USFWS to release eight wolves imminently and resume captive releases into the wild in a last-ditch attempt to save the species.

Next Up

Bison are on the Move in Romania

The first bison relocation in Europe of its kind has been hailed a success after seven male individuals were transported from Germany and set free in Bulgaria earlier this summer.

An Inspiration for All: Rosie the Penguin

Rosie the Riveter, meet your adorable present-day inspiration, Rosie the penguin from the OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Canada's Wildlife is in Hot Water

Uncharacteristically hot temperatures in Canada and the Pacific Northwest have left people searching for relief. But what about the wildlife? It is only getting warmer, and that has caused irreversible damage and tragic demise to over 1 billion sea creatures.

The Mission to Save Grizzly Bear Cubs

When a mother bear is killed, what happens to her cubs? A team of scientists may have found a solution — an orphanage for grizzly bears.

Climate Week 2021 Shines a Light on the Climate Crisis

Every September since 2009, Climate Week coincides with the UN General Assembly in New York City. Action is required to halt and attempt to reverse the rapid and catastrophic deterioration of the world's climate. The planet is in crisis and this year The Explorers Club is spotlighting experts in the field to bring awareness to how we can create the change we need to improve the future of the planet.

The King of Chunks Has Been Crowned

A four-time champion, 480 Otis proved that age is just a number and appetite is the real judge of awesomeness.

Bird Enthusiasts Take Over Social Media for #BlackBirdersWeek

Because nature lovers are just as diverse as nature itself.

NASA is Helping Save Sharks

As the battle to save species across the world wages on, conservation efforts are becoming more and more technological in tracking, monitoring and collecting data.And perhaps one of the most advanced techniques is currently being deployed by NASA, an unlikely ally in the fight to save sharks.

Giant Pandas are No Longer Endangered

After decades of work trying to save the giant panda, Chinese officials have announced the species is no longer endangered.

The Acrobats of the Skunk World

These seven species of spotted skunks can do handstands, but that’s not the only secret they’re hiding.

Related To: