Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/nine-endangered-red-wolves/

The red wolf has faced threats to its survival for decades, but efforts are being made to help the species rebound. The vast majority of the roughly 250 remaining red wolves are in captivity, but they are gradually being reintroduced into the wild. A new group is the latest to be sent out to try to boost the wild population.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced plans to release nine red wolves into the wilds near the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The conservation area where they’ll be placed includes the Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges. Wildlife officials say this group, which consists of a family and two breeding pairs, will play a crucial role in the recovery of the only wild population of the species.

Catherine Phillips, USFWS Assistant Regional Director in the South Atlantic-Gulf and Mississippi Basin Regions, says, “We are committed, more than ever before, to working with our partners – the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, landowners, and other stakeholders – to identify ways to encourage and facilitate a coexistence between people and red wolves.”

Red wolves, which are the most endangered wolf species in the world, used to be common throughout the Eastern and South Central United States, until hunting and habitat destruction brought the species to the brink of extinction by the early 20th century. In 1967, they were designated as “threatened with extinction” under the Endangered Species Preservation Act. They have been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1973.

Today, efforts to help them recover continue. Currently, there are 241 wolves in captivity and an estimated wild population of 15-17 animals in eastern North Carolina. They’re managed as a nonessential experimental population. This current group set to be released into the wild will be located in the same area.

At first, the animals will be allowed to acclimate to the land, until the fences around them are removed and they can roam their new home freely.

The USFWS says it is working to involve the neighboring community as much as possible to help with a smooth transition, recently holding a meeting to get a better idea of local concerns.

Phillips says, “The recent meeting allowed us to hear from the local community and stakeholders, and to share with them what we are doing and plan to do going forward. We cannot recover the red wolf without them. We look forward to this new era of communication, transparency, and collaboration with our partners on this extremely important journey.”

While the release is good news, the wild population continues to face threats. In 2012, their numbers reached a high of 120, but they’ve been dwindling since then due to human-caused mortality from incidents like gunshots and vehicle collisions, as well as hybridization with coyotes.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog