In a groundbreaking step for the Red Wolf Recovery Program, the Red Wolf Center in Columbia, North Carolina, is set to welcome its first-ever breeding pair of Red Wolves.
This historic event, a collaboration between North Carolina Wildlife Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Program marks a significant milestone in efforts to conserve and protect the critically endangered Red Wolf.
The male Red Wolf (2445M) born in 2022, arriving from the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri, will join a female Red Wolf (2292F) born in 2019, arriving from Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, North Carolina, at the Red Wolf Center.
Together, they have the chance to be the facility’s first breeding pair in the exhibit pen, a contributing step in the 2024/2025 Red Wolf SAFE Breeding and Transfer Plan. This plan plays a vital role in maintaining genetic diversity among Red Wolves and supporting their recovery in Eastern North Carolina.
“This is a monumental moment for the Red Wolf Center and for the future of Red Wolves,” said Tim Gestwicki, CEO of North Carolina Wildlife Federation. “Bringing together this pair for the first time at the Center highlights the tireless efforts of everyone involved in Red Wolf recovery, from on-the-ground biologists to supporters who believe in the cause.
We’re hopeful that this pair will lead to a new generation of Red Wolves, underscoring that recovery is a complex, collaborative effort.”
It is important to note that neither Red Wolf has produced a litter yet, and this is their first year being selected for breeding under the breeding and transfer plan. However, optimism remains high, as the success rate for Red Wolves breeding in human care has recently risen from 20%-25% to 38%-45%. If a litter is born, it will symbolize a critical step toward securing the future of Red Wolves.
The success of the breeding program also showcases the multifaceted nature of Red Wolf recovery, from habitat conservation and improvement to carefully facilitated breeding programs, and highlights the collaborative work of conservation groups.
The Red Wolf Center has a live Red Wolf camera to engage the public in this critical recovery effort, allowing viewers to watch the two wolves in real-time. This offers an opportunity for the public to witness as these wolves acclimate and hopefully contribute to the next generation of their species. In conjunction with the live cam, the Red Wolf Center will resume its programs on October 31st, providing educational materials and hosting seminars to raise awareness about Red Wolves and their conservation.
Red Wolves, once abundant in the southeastern central portion of the United States, are now considered the most endangered canid species in the world with less than 20 living in the wild. The Red Wolf SAFE program, in conjunction with federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations like NCWF, and local community members, has worked tirelessly to aid in the species recovery efforts of Red Wolves by managing a population of Red Wolves under human care. The opportunity for a breeding pair at the Red Wolf Center is a testament to these efforts and represents a key milestone in the journey toward recovery.
For more information, please visit NCWF’s Red Wolf Recovery page or contact Katerina Ramos at Katerina@NCWF.org.
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About North Carolina Wildlife Federation:
Since 1945, North Carolina Wildlife Federation has worked to protect, conserve and restore North Carolina wildlife and habitat. Learn more at https://ncwf.org/.
Media Contact:
Katerina Ramos
Red Wolf Education & Outreach Coordinator
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
(919) 833-1923
Katerina@ncwf.org