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Red Wolf Recovery Project
Click Here to read the 5-Year Review
Red Wolf, Canis rufus
The red wolf is one of two species of wolves in North America, the
other being the gray wolf, Canis lupus. As their name suggests,
red wolves are known for the characteristic reddish color of their
fur most apparent behind the ears and along the neck and legs,
but are mostly brown and buff colored with some black along their
backs. Intermediate in size to gray wolves and coyotes, the average
adult red wolf weighs 45-80 pounds, stands about 26 inches at the
shoulder and is about 4 feet long from the tip of the nose to the
end of the tail.
Red wolves are social animals that live in packs consisting
of a breeding adult pair and their offspring of different years,
typically five to eight animals. Red wolves prey on a variety of
wild mammals such as raccoon, rabbit, white-tailed deer, nutria,
and other rodents. Most active at dusk and dawn, red wolves are elusive
and generally avoid humans and human activity.
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The red wolf is one of the world’s most endangered wild canids. Once common
throughout the southeastern United States, red wolf populations were decimated
by the 1960s due to intensive predator control programs and loss of habitat.
A remnant population of red wolves was found along the Gulf coast of Texas and
Louisiana. After being declared an endangered species in 1973, efforts were initiated
to locate and capture as many wild red wolves as possible. Of the 17 remaining
wolves captured by biologists, 14 became the founders of a successful captive
breeding program. Consequently, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service declared
red wolves extinct in the wild in 1980.
By 1987, enough red wolves were bred in captivity to begin a restoration program
on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North Carolina. Since
then, the experimental population area has expanded to include three national
wildlife refuges, a Department of Defense bombing range, state-owned lands, and
private property, spanning a total of 1.5 million acres.
Over 100 red wolves roam their native habitats in five northeastern North Carolina counties and approximately 200 comprise the Species Survival Plan captive breeding program in sites across the United States, still an essential element of red wolf recovery. Interbreeding with the coyote (an exotic species not native to North Carolina) has been recognized as the most significant and detrimental threat affecting restoration of red wolves in this section of their historical home range. Currently, adaptive management efforts are making good progress in reducing the threat of coyotes while building the wild red wolf population in northeastern North Carolina.
2008 red wolf facts:
- There are two species of wolves in North America: gray wolf and red wolf.
- Historically the red wolf roamed as a top predator throughout the southeastern United States.
- Aggressive predator control programs and clearing of forested habitat reduced the red wolf population to 17 wolves by 1980.
- In compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the first red wolf recovery plan was completed in 1973; implementation begins.
- Red wolves were declared extinct in the wild between 1980-87.
- Red Wolf Recovery Program located in Manteo, NC, at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR) office.
- Restoration began with 4 pairs of red wolves released into the ARNWR in 1987.
- Today 100-120 red wolves call northeastern North Carolina home. This is the world's only wild population of red wolves.
- Over 40 Species Survival Plan captive facilities. Many have viewing opportunities visit: http://www.fws.gov/redwolf/rwfacilities.html
- Restoration area consists of 1.7 million public and private acres in Dare, Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort and Washington Counties.
- Approximately 20 packs in the wild - a pack consists of an adult pair and often pups.
- Pups born annually in April and May.
- Life span in the wild: 7-8 years / in captivity: up to 15 years.
- Red wolves are wary animals and rarely seen in the wild.
Program Reports
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