Litter Of Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups Born in the Wild – First Time Since 2018

A fresh litter of gorgeous red wolf puppies has renewed optimism for the endangered species’ survival.

In April, the Red Wolf Recovery Program announced on FB that four female and two male red wolf pups were born.

Animal rights campaigners praised the newborns, which mark the first red wolf litter born in the wild since 2018.

The article by the Red Wolf Recovery Program stated, “This red wolf pair was formed through the combination of multiple management activities, with the two red wolves following their natural inclinations in partnering, establishing their territory, and mating.”

“Every generation gives birth to a new ray of hope for the red wolf… a cause for celebration!”

The neonates were discovered in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina.

According to NPR, the declining red wolf population has been related to human hunting, extinction, and harm to their natural habitat.

Breeding programs for red wolves are viewed as crucial to the population’s survival.

On its website, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes the significance of Species Survival Plan (SSP) facilities in preserving red wolf birth rates.

According to the agency, the number of red wolf breeding pairs grew to 38 during the 2021-2022 breeding season.

“There are roughly 241 red wolves in 45 SSP facilities across the country as of August 2021.” During the breeding season of 2020-2021, 30 breeding couples were created and 23 puppies are born in 6 litters, as reported by the agency.

“Four adults were released into the wild in the North Carolina NEP, and four puppies were fostered to a wild red wolf, resulting in the addition of 19 pups to the SSP population. Due to increasing space capacity and population growth, the number of breeding pairs for the 2021-2022 breeding season rose to 38.