The howl of the red wolf was once heard throughout the Southeastern United States. Now, it is one of the world’s most endangered species. Intense predator control programs along with loss of habitat decimated the population by the early 1960’s. In 1973 biologists captured the remaining 17 wolves and 14 became the founders of a successful captive breeding program. The red wolf was declared extinct in the wild in 1980. By 1987, enough red wolves were bred in captivity to begin a release program. Thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Red Wolf Recovery Program, about 100 wild wolves now inhabit Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina.
Smaller than its northern cousin, the gray wolf, the red wolf weighs about 60-65 pounds. As the name implies, red wolves are known for the characteristic reddish color of their fur. They are social animals, living in small packs consisting of a mated pair, who will stay together for life, and their offspring of different years, typically five to eight animals. Litters are born in the Spring and consist of one to eight pups.
The red wolf’s diet consists mostly of white-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, and rodents. Since most prey items are small mammals, red wolves do not have to rely solely on pack hunting, as do the gray and Mexican wolves. This species is generally shy and usually stays away from humans and human activities.
Fossil Rim has been a breeding facility for the Red Wolf SSP since 1989 and has produced more than 30 pups. These wolves are housed in the Intensive Management Area and can be viewed on the Behind the Scenes Tours.
To learn more about the Red Wolf Recovery Program, visit:
http://www.fws.gov/alligatorriver/redwolf.html.
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