Red Wolf Recovery Program

2025-2026 Release Plan available NOW...click HERE!

Canis rufus

• Taxon: Mammal
• Range: Eastern North Carolina
• Status: First listed as “threatened with extinction” under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 in 1967. Currently listed as an "endangered species" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
• Population estimate as of July 2026:
  • Known/collared (wild): 22
  • Total estimate (wild): 23-24 adults/subadults, plus 12-16 pups
  • Red Wolf SAFE (captive): 295

Red Wolf Recovery Program Updates - June 2026

Below, we will account for all population changes within the Eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population (ENC RWP) since our last update, including births, mortalities, and releases. Currently, the known/collared population of adult/subadult Red Wolves is 22, with 12 to 16 pups.

Please remember to give Red Wolf family groups, and all Red Wolves, lots of space. At minimum, you should be 100 yards (approximately the length of eight school buses or a football field) away. However, if you are affecting their movements or behavior, please increase that distance. While it is amazing to see them, it is very important that Red Wolves—especially when they are young—do not become habituated to humans or cars, as this is dangerous for their futures and can result in mortalities down the line. Follow all National Wildlife Refuge closures and area restrictions, and please respect private land and do not trespass. 

Milltail Family Group

In early April, 2503F and 2191M had their second litter as a breeding pair. The litter was born on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR) and consisted of six pups, two o females and four males. In mid-May, when the pups were about five weeks old, we hand captured them and assisted Dr. Chris Ford and Ashley Swayne from Chowan Animal Hospital in administering their first round of vaccinations. We also implanted a small abdominal transmitter in each pup. These transmitters allow us to track their locations and movements.  This monitoring helps us prevent disturbance or activity in the area where the litter is being raised. 

Since early May, there have been four pup mortalities in the Milltail litter. The abdominal transmitters made it possible for us to detect these mortalities. In one instance, we were able to have a necropsy done, but no cause of death could be determined. Natural pup survival of Red Wolves in the wild is around 50% with the highest likelihood of mortality occurring within the first few months, so unfortunately, pup losses like this are not uncommon. Based on monitoring from a distance, the remaining 2 pups appear to be doing well. 

West Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (W. ARNWR) Family Group

In early April, 2412F and 2500M had their second litter as a breeding pair. Born on ARNWR, this litter consisted of seven   pups, three females and four males. In late April, we did a cross foster between a Red Wolf litter born at the Saint Louis Zoo as part of the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) American Red Wolf program and this wild litter. Conducting a cross foster requires a lot of planning, and the timing of wild and captive litters to align, but when we can do it, it’s a great management tool for increasing the genetic diversity of both the wild and SAFE populations. 

For this cross foster, personnel from the Saint Louis Zoo traveled by plane with three pups (two males, one female) to ARNWR, where Red Wolf Recovery Program biologists were tracking 2412F, the breeding female, from a distance to get a good idea of the area where she currently had her pups. Once the pups arrived from SAFE, we began searching on the ground for the wild litter. Time is crucial because we don’t want the SAFE pups out of the care of a mother Red Wolf for too long, even though the staff from the Saint Louis Zoo had tube fed them along their journey. After a lot of searching, we found the wild litter and placed the three SAFE pups in the litter. In exchange, we removed four of the wild-born pups (one female, three males) and transferred them to the Saint Louis Zoo staff who flew back that evening and placed them with their new foster mother. After the cross foster, the wild litter consisted of six pups (three females, three males).

In mid-May, we captured five of the six pups and gave them their first round of vaccines. The two pups captured from the original wild litter were given abdominal transmitters. Despite extensive searching in the area where the other pups were found, the sixth pup was not located. However, in late May, while tracking, we saw all six pups.  Unfortunately, in June, one of the pups was a mortality so this litter now consists of one to five pups.   

Throughout the history of the program and pup fostering, which began in 2002, a wild Red Wolf mother has never rejected a pup fostered from the SAFE population when using the appropriate methods we have developed (e.g. the foster must happen within the first few weeks after the litter is born, the new pups from SAFE should be rubbed with the wild pups for scent, limit time spent at the den site, etc.). One of the other keys to success has been only fostering pups from litters born within two to three days of the wild litter so there isn’t much difference in their development. However, in this situation, there was not a litter born in SAFE within a few days. Due to the importance of increasing the genetic diversity in the population, we made the decision to try an eight-day difference in birth date, the largest age difference we’ve ever tried. The foster was successful! 

Boundary Family Group

In early April, 2409F and 2371M had their second litter as a breeding pair, though it was their first born in the wild since last year’s litter was born in an acclimation pen. The litter of two, one female and one male, was born on private land and. In early May, we hand captured both pups and gave them initial vaccines and implanted them with abdominal transmitters. Based on continued monitoring, both pups appear to be doing well on the landscape. Both parents of this litter were released from the SAFE population, 2409F as a yearling in 2023 and 2371M as an adult in 2025. Together, they represent an example of Red Wolves born at a SAFE facility successfully surviving and reproducing in the wild after release. They also represent a successful working relationship between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a private landowner who is aware of and welcomes their presence as a participant in the Prey for the Pack program. 

Pungo Family Group

In mid-April, 2361F and 2411M had their first litter as a breeding pair. This is her second litter but his first after they paired following her mate’s death last summer. The litter was born on private land and was a large litter consisting of eight pups (five females, three males). In mid-May, we captured all eight of the pups, gave them their initial vaccines, and implanted them with abdominal transmitters. Unfortunately, there has been one pup mortality in this litter since mid-May, but the remaining seven pups seem to be doing well.

Interestingly, 2411M was born on ARNWR in 2022 and dispersed a few years ago. On his own, he found his way to the Pungo area of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (PLNWR) where he found one of the few female Red Wolves in the wild that he was not related to. 

Acclimation Pens

We had three acclimation pens active on refuges (two on ARNWR and one on PLNWR) during the winter/spring within the ENC RWP. Each consisted of a wild, unpaired female and a SAFE male (2359F and 2475M, 2413F and 2469M, 2502F and 2380M) in attempts to create additional breeding pairs. This has been a successful method in the past, but unfortunately, this year, there were no pups born in the acclimation pens. Based on various factors, including interactions between the Red Wolves in the pen, behavioral characteristics of the SAFE males and USFWS’s experience under these circumstances, we made the following decisions regarding the releases of each Red Wolf:

• 2469M was released with 2413F in early June. Based on monitoring, 2413F returned to her territory soon after release, but 2469M did not remain with her.  Unfortunately, 2469M was a mortality in early July from suspected natural causes.
• 2359F was released back into the wild in mid-May. Based on her movements and interactions with 2475M who had remained in the acclimation pen after her release, we released him in mid-June in the hopes that they would pair on the landscape. Based on extensive monitoring of 2475M after release indicating continued movements in close proximity to people and development, the decision was made to capture him in early July and place him back into the SAFE population due to concerns regarding his ability to survive in the wild.
• 2380M was released into the wild in 2025 after being in an acclimation with a wild female Red Wolf, but he did not thrive and appeared to not be doing well health wise, so we recaptured him after a few months. We attempted to pair him with a different wild female in an acclimation pen this past winter, but they did not bond. 2380M was subsequently transferred back into the SAFE program to Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton, NY.

Pup Summary

There were four Red Wolf litters born in the wild for a total of 23 pups. After the cross fostering there were 22 pups in the wild. With the mortalities of some of the young pups detected during our monitoring, we know there are a minimum of 12 pups remaining in the wild and possibly up to 16. The other four pups do not have transmitters, but we confirmed their presence on the landscape as recently as late May. We will continue to monitor the pups using radio telemetry and remote sensing cameras. 

Other Updates

Unfortunately, in addition to the mortality of 2612F previously disclosed earlier this year and 2469M’s mortality disclosed above, there have been three other adult/subadult Red Wolf mortalities in the wild since December 2025. All three mortalities remain under investigation. The mortalities include 2514F and 2515F (adults from the Pungo area of PLNWR) and 2614F (a yearling from the Boundary Family Group). 
 

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Program History

The recovery of the Red Wolf began as a remarkable conservation success story. By 1972, the species was reduced to a small coastal area in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana (see map above). From 1973-1980, the Service began trapping wild canids in the area to prevent extinction of the species and establish a captive breeding program with the intention of reintroducing the species in the wild. In the early 1970’s, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, in association with the Service, established a captive-breeding program using 14 Red Wolves. After numbers continued to decline due to human persecution and habitat loss, the Red Wolf was subsequently declared extinct in the wild in 1980.

In 1984, the captive breeding program was approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, which provides oversight for maintaining a healthy and genetically diverse stock under human care. By this time, there were approximately 63 individuals in the SSP population and the program was actively growing the population through the coordinated efforts of the SSP partner facilities, making reintroduction efforts possible.

Recovery efforts in the wild began in northeastern North Carolina with the establishment of what is referred to today as the Eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population (ENC RWP) under section 10(j) of the ESA and release of Red Wolves from the SSP population, on Alligator River NWR in 1987. Between 1987 and 1994, over 60 adult red wolves from the SSP population were released into the ENC RWP. By the mid-1990s, Red Wolves in the wild maintained territories, formed packs, and successfully bred. By 2011, this reintroduction effort culminated in a known population (e.g. radio-collared) of 89 Red Wolves and in 2012 an estimated population as high as 120 Red Wolves within the five-county ENC RWP area. This was the first time a large carnivore had been declared extinct in the wild and then reintroduced in the United States. It set the stage for several subsequent reintroduction efforts that were modeled after the Red Wolf Recovery Program, such as gray wolves in Yellowstone and central Idaho, Mexican wolves in the southwestern U.S., California condors, and black-footed ferrets. Several innovative recovery tactics were first attempted by this program, with a great deal of success, including pup fostering and coyote sterilizations.

In 1990, the Service established an island propagation site for the Red Wolf at St. Vincent NWR, an isolated island off the Gulf Coast of Florida. The role of this site is to propagate Red Wolf pups in a somewhat controlled, but natural environment that will provide them with a wild experience as juveniles for the purpose of being strategically translocated into the wild.

Recovery

Recovery Revised Recovery Plan for the Red Wolf (Canis rufus) 

Population Viability Analysis of the Red Wolf (Canis rufus)

Red Wolf Recovery Vision

In the future, wild and free Red Wolves will coexist with humans in multiple viable populations across the historic range, where ongoing threats are effectively ameliorated through conservation activities, the public’s trust and engagement, and aligned policies among all involved with Red Wolf recovery. The recovery of the Red Wolf will provide a strong sense of community ownership, cultural importance, and pride, in line with the values of the communities in which they occur.

On September 29, 2023, the Service released the final Revised Recovery Plan for the Red Wolf (Canis rufus). This revised recovery plan was developed by the Red Wolf Recovery Team, a collaborative partnership consisting of Tribal Nation representatives, State and Federal agencies, County government, academia, zoos/conservation centers, non-profit

organizations, non-governmental organizations, and landowners, assembled in July 2021. The Red Wolf Recovery Plan was last revised in 1990.

The Recovery Team followed the Service’s Recovery Planning and Implementation Process, a three-document approach consisting of:

1. A Species Status Assessment (SSA) – Completed in 2018, this document evaluates red wolf viability and provides the foundational biological information to develop and support a recovery plan.

2. A Recovery Plan – A concise, visionary document that contains the elements required under section 4(f)(1)(B) of the ESA: recovery criteria, recovery actions, and time and cost estimates.

3. A Recovery Implementation Strategy – An itemization of the prioritized on-the-ground activities needed to implement the actions identified in the recovery plan. Development of the Recovery Implementation Strategy is under way by the Red Wolf Recovery Team and is expected to be completed in 2024.

At the same time the revised recovery plan was released, the Service also released the Population Viability Analysis of the Red Wolf (PVA), which was used to inform the final recovery plan. Frequently asked questions can also be found on our website.

The plan underscores the Service’s commitment to working with others to conserve the Red Wolf. Collaborative conservation is foundational to the successful recovery of the species and the Service will continue to strive to align our work with the needs of communities and contributors involved in Red Wolf recovery.

SAFE Red Wolf Population

Since 1984, the Service has partnered with the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) to manage the captive Red Wolf population under AZA’s Species Survival Plan program, now part of the broader AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program. The SAFE Red Wolf program focuses the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and leverages their massive audiences to save species. The SAFE Red Wolf program’s goal is to support conservation efforts for this species by maintaining a healthy and viable population of Red Wolves, growing education and awareness efforts, and aiding research vital to supporting recovery and management.

Captive breeding saved the Red Wolf from extinction and is an essential component of Red Wolf recovery. Past releases of Red Wolves from the SAFE population into the ENC

RWP helped the wild Red Wolf population reach a peak of 120 animals in 2012. Although captive Red Wolves are located throughout the country at different SAFE Red Wolf facilities, they are managed as a single population. They are routinely transferred among the facilities to breed according to genetic management objectives to help maintain the health and diversity of an increasing population.

Human contact with Red Wolves in the SAFE population is minimized to promote avoidance behavior and to support pair bonding, breeding, pup rearing, and healthy pack structure. They are evaluated and selected for release to the wild based on their genetic makeup, reproductive performance, behavior, and physical suitability.

In 2016, the Service made increasing the size of the Red Wolf population under human care (the captive population - see Red Wolf SAFE section) a priority. The Service stated it would provide resources and work with its partners to expand space capacity. To date, the Service has provided $771,000 through FY18, FY19, and FY20 Recovery Challenge Grants for the construction of 20 additional Red Wolf enclosures.

In the 2024-2025 breeding season, 29 breeding pairs were established and 43 pups in 12 litters were born - of which 26 survived, adding to the SAFE population. Historically, whelping success was around 25%; for the last 3 years success has been 45%, 38%, and 46%. Historically, pup survival was around 65%; for the last 3 years, survival has been 72%, 79%, and 67%. As of August 2025, there are approximately 280 Red Wolves in SAFE facilities across the country. With the addition of 3 new partners, there are 52 SAFE Red Wolf facilities total. For the 2025-2026 breeding season, 33 breeding pairs have been recommended.

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Wild Population

Under Section 10(j) of the ESA, the Service can designate reintroduced populations established outside of the species’ current range, but within its historical range, as “experimental.” This designation allows the Service to reestablish self-sustaining populations when doing so fosters its conservation and recovery.

Currently, there is only one wild population of Red Wolves, the ENC RWP in eastern North Carolina, which encompasses five counties of the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina (Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties). Management of the ENC RWP Red Wolves is conducted in accordance with the 10(j) rule published in 1995, as clarified by relevant court orders. Notably, this includes a permanent injunction prohibiting take of Red Wolves either directly or by landowner authorization, without first demonstrating that the Red Wolf is a threat to human safety or the safety of livestock or pets. Additionally, the 1995 rule recognizes the Service’s authority to release additional Red Wolves and conduct adaptive management within the ENC RWP.

Past reintroductions into the ENC RWP helped support a wild Red Wolf population as high as 120 animals (89 radio collared) in 2012. After peaking, the population declined dramatically. Human-caused mortality (e.g., gunshots, vehicle strikes) has been the leading cause of this decline. Hybridization with coyotes, which is exacerbated by human-

caused mortality, particularly in breeding pairs, and low Red Wolf population numbers also played a key role in this decline.

The Service is committed to seeing Red Wolf numbers increased within the ENC RWP. The Service will continue to collar all captured Red Wolves with bright orange collars with orange reflective material to help the public distinguish them from coyotes. Currently, all known, collared adult Red Wolves have orange collars. The Service is also continuing releases of Red Wolves from the SAFE population into the ENC RWP, pup fostering when able, and conducting adaptive management. See below for management activities implemented to attempt to create Red Wolf breeding pairs in eastern North Carolina.

The current population is 26 known/collared Red Wolves and an estimated total population of 26-27 Red Wolves. The total population is an estimate based on known radio-collared Red Wolves, adult Red Wolves with radio collars that quit functioning relatively recently that are likely still on the landscape, pups of the years that are too small to be collared, and an additional few un-collared adult Red Wolves that could potentially be on the landscape based on reported sightings and remote sensing cameras. The Service does not currently have any evidence to suggest there are any uncollared adult Red Wolves within the ENC RWP or any Red Wolves with non-functioning collars.

Known/Collared Red Wolves:

The reflective ID’s are placed on the collar to allow the animal to be more easily identified on remote sensing cameras or public sightings. However, the numbers/letters do wear off over time.

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Management

2020-2021 Management Activities

2021-2022 Management Activities

2022-2023 Management Activities 

2023-2024 Management Activities

Wild Population Updates/2025 Releases

Significant Milestone: The Birth of Red Wolf Pups to 2503F and 2191M

On Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), we observed a significant change in the Milltail family group. 

The previous matriarch, 2225F, who had a litter each of the last three years, is no longer the breeding female. Her daughter, 2503F, has taken her place and paired with 2191M. He was born at Wolf Haven International as part of the SAFE American Red Wolf program and released into the wild in January 2024. Together, they had a litter of eight pups—four females and four males—in mid-April.

Pup Timeline:

• 10 days old: Biologists entered the den to conduct health checks, take DNA samples using cheek swabs, and microchip the pups for future identification.
• 5 weeks old: We hand-captured five pups and assisted Dr. Chris Ford and Ashley Swayne from Chowan Animal Hospital in administering vaccinations and implanting small abdominal transmitters in four of them. These transmitters allow us to track their locations and monitor their growth.

All evidence from our monitoring indicates that the litter continues to do well and at least 5 of the pups are known to have survived thus far. Also, recent monitoring shows that 2225F is helping raise the pups, which contributes to the pups' chances of survival.

Please remember to give this family group, and all Red Wolves, lots of space,a minimum of 100 yards (approximately the length of 8 school buses or a football field).  Follow all National Wildlife Refuge closures and area restrictions to prevent growing Red Wolves from becoming habituated to people or cars which can be dangerous for their future.

Significant Milestone: The Pairing of Red Wolves 2359F and 2443M

In early 2024, we attempted to create a breeding pair with two Red Wolves: 2359F, a wild female originally fostered into a wild den from Akron Zoo in 2021, and 2443M, born at the Endangered Wolf Center. Both facilities are part of the SAFE American Red Wolf program, dedicated to the conservation of this species.  

These two Red Wolves were placed in an acclimation pen at Pocosin Lakes NWR in February 2024. Although they did not produce a litter initially, we remained hopeful. Based on previous unsuccessful releases of males from the SAFE population when an attempt to pair them with a wild female didn’t result in a litter, 2359F was released back into the wild in June 2024, but the decision was made that 2443M would remain in the acclimation pen.  2359F dispersed away from the area of the acclimation pen after release.

In November 2024, during the Red Wolf bonding period, 2443M was released into the wild. This decision came after observing 2359F return to the area of the acclimation pen and frequently interacting with 2443M through the fence, indicating her interest in him. Upon his release, the two immediately paired and successfully mated a few months later.

Tragically, in mid-February 2025, 2443M was struck by a vehicle on the refuge and did not survive. This loss was a stark reminder of the dangers wildlife face, even within protected areas. However, his legacy lives on through his offspring. In early April, 2359F gave birth to a litter of three pups—two females and one male. Monitoring through tracking and remote cameras indicates that the litter is thriving in the wild.

The death of 2443M reminds us of the importance of adhering to refuge closures and being mindful of speed limits on and off refuge roads. These measures are crucial for the safety of both wildlife and visitors. As we celebrate the new life brought into the world by 2359F, let us also commit to protecting wildlife and their habitats.

Significant Milestone: Red Wolves 2409F, 2371M and Their Pups

Born in May 2023 at the Endangered Wolf Center, a SAFE American Red Wolf facility, 2409F was released into the wild as a juvenile alongside her parents in Spring 2023.

In October 2024, reports from the public of an injured Red Wolf led to us capturing 2409F, who was found with a severe, potentially life-threatening leg injury, likely from an animal bite. After several weeks of treatment, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine 2409F was on the road to recovery.

Once healed, 2409F was placed in an acclimation pen on Alligator River NWR, with 2371M, a Red Wolf male from the SAFE population where he had been in an enclosure several acres in size that was not open to public viewing. 

In mid-April, 2409F gave birth to three pups. While one pup did not survive the first week, the remaining two (one female and one male) survived.

When the pups were about five weeks old, we assisted Dr. Chris Ford and Ashley Swayne from Chowan Animal Hospital to vaccinate and fit the pups with small abdominal transmitters. These transmitters are essential for tracking their movements and assisting with their protection once released.

In late May, the newly formed family group was released from the acclimation pen appearing to transition seamlessly into the wild as a new family group.  This release highlights the importance of continued collaboration with our conservation partners and landowners.

Significant Milestone: Red Wolf 2412F, 2500M and Their Pups

Born into the Milltail family group on Alligator River NWR in 2022, 2412F represents the first Red Wolf litter born in the wild in several years. Her story, and that of her new family, highlights the critical work being done to ensure the survival and genetic diversity of the Red Wolf population.

2412F dispersed from the Milltail area but has remained within the Alligator River NWR. Due to the low population numbers, finding unrelated mates is challenging, which is why the release of additional adult Red Wolves from the SAFE America Red Wolf program is so vital. In the absence of an unrelated mate, 2412F paired with 2500M, who was born into the Milltail family group a year after her in 2023. Together, they had a litter of six pups (three females and three males) in mid-April.

In effort to enhance the genetic diversity of both the wild and SAFE populations and managing the number of offspring from this pair in the wild, the Red Wolf Recovery Program and the SAFE American Red Wolf program implemented a cross-foster for the first time. When the wild litter was about two weeks old, one male pup from the North Carolina Zoo was placed into the wild litter, and four pups (two females and two males) from the wild litter were placed at the North Carolina Zoo, leaving a litter of three in the wild den.  As of early August, monitoring with remote sensing cameras has confirmed that all three of the pups in the wild litter remain on the landscape indicating that the cross foster was successful.  

As these young Red Wolves grow and become more mobile, it is crucial to give this family group plenty of space. Please maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards (approximately the length of eight school buses or a football field) and adhere to all refuge closures and area restrictions. This helps prevent the Red Wolves from becoming habituated to people or cars, which can be dangerous for their future.

Significant Milestone: Red Wolves 2413F and 2380M

In the ongoing efforts to conserve Red Wolves, every new potential pairing and release into the wild is a step forward. 

Earlier this year, 2413F was placed in an acclimation pen on Alligator River NWR with 2380M (from the Endangered Wolf Center, a SAFE American Red Wolf facility). The acclimation pen allows them to acclimate to each other as well as the area, a crucial step for their success in the wild.

Although 2413F and 2380M did not have pups this year, this was likely due to their attempted pairing late in the Red Wolf bonding period. After their release in late May they did not remain together. The hope is that they will reconnect during the Red Wolf bonding period this fall or that 2380M will naturally pair with a different wild Red Wolf female.   

Summary

All adult/subadult Red Wolves are fitted with orange collars with orange reflective material, making them more easily identifiable. With the recent release of these two adult Red Wolves and the birth of new pups, the current known population of red wolves stands at 18 adults/subadults, with as many as 16 pups on the landscape. However, based on extensive monitoring it is currently believed the number of pups is likely closer to the 10-12 range. To ensure the safety and well-being of these pups and their family groups, monitoring will be conducted from a distance as the pups grow and become more mobile.  Pup survival in the wild is about 50% so every little bit of extra caution helps.

The stories of wild Red Wolf females 2503F, 2409F, 2413F, and 2412F, along with males 2371M, 2380M and 2443M released from the SAFE population, highlight the resilience of the species and the dedication involved in their conservation. Each Red Wolf's journey underscores the importance of innovative conservation strategies, collaboration, and the support of landowners, conservation partner, refuge visitors and so many others.

Family Groups

The Milltail breeding female (2225F), 5 yearlings (2410M, 2411M, 2412F, 2413F and 2414F) and 6 pups (as of September 2023) remain within their expected area of use on Alligator River NWR. 

The breeding pair (2361F and 2307M) and 2 pups (as of September 2023) remain within their expected area of use on and around Pocosin Lakes NWR.   

Summary of Releases

C = Captivity

I = Island Propagation Site

S = Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Adults are categorized as Red Wolves 3 years of age or older. Subadults are Red Wolves that are greater than 6 months old and less than 3 years old. Pups are Red Wolves less than 6 months old.

¹Origin of Red Wolves Released or Fostered

²The methodology used to determine the population estimate of the ENC RWP has varied over the course of time based on the size of the population to yield the most accurate estimates possible.

³Information as of 6/26/2023

** Specific information about mortality location is not released as it may provide sensitive species occurrence data. **

Outreach, Education, and Media

Interested in learning how to help Red Wolves? Check out our fact sheet here.

Traveling in eastern North Carolina? Here's how you can help keep Red Wolves safe. Check out our "Welcome to Red Wolf Country" brochure.

Service staff have worked closely with multiple local, regional and national media outlets on articles, news stories, and videos to get the word out about the release of Red Wolves and Red Wolf recovery in general. Outlets include, but are not limited to, Mutual of Omahaʼs Wild Kingdom, National Geographic, CBS News Sunday Morning, Coastal Review, and Right of Passage, among others. Have media inquiries? Please reach out to Lanier Clegg at Lanier_Clegg@fws.gov.  

Partnership Coordination Calls

Every quarter, the Service and its partners in Red Wolf recovery meet via a conference call to provide updates on the status of Red Wolf related actions. The purpose of these calls is to:

• provide a forum for regular and effective coordination on current actions and collaborative efforts among all partners in Red Wolf recovery, and
• provide other interested parties and the public with updates on the status of Red Wolf conservation efforts.

Updates the Service provides on these calls can be found below in our Documents section.

Community Involvement

On September 23, 2025, the Service held a virtual informational meeting on the Red Wolf Recovery Program. The presentation from the meeting is posted below, along with a transcript and video recording from the virtual meeting.

• Recovery Meeting Presentation
• Transcript
• Video Recording

On September 24, 2024, the Service held a virtual informational meeting on the Red Wolf Recovery Program. The presentation from the meeting is posted below, along with a transcript and video recording from the virtual meeting.

• Public Meeting Presentation
• Transcript
• Video Recording

On May 9 & 10, 2023, the Service held public information meetings on the Red Wolf Recovery Program. The presentation from the meetings is posted below, along with a transcript and video recording from the virtual meeting. 

• Public Meeting Presentation
• Transcript
• Video Recording

On October 4 & 5, 2022, the Service held an in-person informational meeting and virtual informational meeting. The presentation from the meetings is posted below, along with a transcript and video recording from the virtual meeting.

• Public Meeting Presentation
• Transcript
• Video Recording

On February 1, 2022, the Service held a virtual informational meeting and listening session on the revitalization of Red Wolf recovery efforts as well as the transfer and upcoming releases of nine Red Wolves into the wild in the ENC RWP. The presentation from the meeting is posted below, along with a transcript and video recording from the virtual meeting.

• Public Meeting Presentation
• Transcript
• Video Recording
• Questions and Answers from the Public Meeting Presentation

On Dec.10, 2019, the Service held a joint public information session with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission regarding the Red Wolf recovery efforts and management of canids on the Albemarle Peninsula. The goal was to inform residents living in and around the five-county ENC RWP area in eastern North Carolina (Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties) about ongoing work and plans for canid management. Plans for additional sessions were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prey for the Pack – Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

Prey for the Pack is a habitat improvement program through the Services’ Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, in collaboration with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and is available to private landowners interested in and committed to improving wildlife habitats on their property. The program helps provide both technical and financial support to private landowners to help promote and implement habitat improvement projects that benefit both the landowner and the wildlife that depend on the resource, specifically to promote habitat for Red Wolf prey species. To date, the Service has provided $350,000 worth of financial assistance, to date; $60,000 in FY19 and $290,000 in FY22.

In exchange for financial and technical support, landowners will allow for the presence of Red Wolves on their private lands, un-harassed. For more information contact Luke Lolies, Wildlife Biologist/Private Lands Biologist at luke_lolies@fws.gov or (252) 256-3676, or Joe Madison, NC Program Manager - Red Wolf Recovery Program at joseph_madison@fws.gov or (252) 475-8259.

The Red Wolf Center – Columbia, North Carolina

The Red Wolf Center located just outside Columbia, North Carolina, is a public education center that houses Red Wolf displays and a live Red Wolf pair in a viewing enclosure. The Red Wolf Center is a collaborative effort between the Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Refuge Association. The Red Wolf Center also offers red wolf educational talks to school and other groups. To learn more about the Red Wolf Center, schedule a tour or a presentation, or facilities hours, contact Katerina Ramos at katerina@ncwf.org.

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Red Wolf Hotline

For information, questions, and to report suspected sightings or an injured or dead red wolf, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-855-4-WOLVES (496-5837) or redwolf@fws.gov.

Recovery Timeline

1967

• Red wolf listed as “threatened with extinction” under the Endangered Species Preservation Act

1969

• Red wolves first maintained in captivity at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington

1973

• Endangered Species Act becomes federal law
• Recovery program established; captive breeding program initiated

1977

• First litter of Red Wolf pups born in breeding program at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

1978

• First successful experimental release, tracking, and recapture of Red Wolves on Bulls Island, South Carolina, solidifies reintroduction techniques

1973-1980

• Over 400 canids captured in wild

1980

• Red wolf declared extinct in the wild

1984

• AZA Species Survival Plan established

1985

• Early documentation of coyotes in eastern NC

1986

• Nonessential experimental population (NEP) in eastern NC established (10(j) rule). This population is now referred to as the Eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population (ENC RWP).

1987

• First release of Red Wolves in ENC RWP (Alligator River NWR)

1988

• First litter of Red Wolf pups born in the wild at Alligator River NWR

1991

• NEP in Great Smokey Mountains National Park (GSMNP) established (10(j) rule)

1992

• Releases begin at GSMNP

1993

• First Red Wolves born in the wild in GSMNP NEP

1995

• Publication of an amendment to the 10(j) rule governing the ENC RWP to address private landowner concerns about reintroduced Red Wolves

1998

• GSMNP NEP ended due to low pup survival and the inability of Red Wolves to establish home ranges within the Park (e.g., emigration of Red Wolves to lower elevations with greater prey availability)

1999

• Coyotes/hybridization most imminent threat

2000

• Adaptive management plan (AMP) implemented to address Red Wolf/coyote hybridization

2004

• Increase in Red Wolf mortality due to gunshot

2012

• North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) temporary rule allows night hunting of coyotes with artificial light across state; puts Red Wolves at risk
• Court suspends night hunting of coyote with lights within ENC RWP

2013

• Service recognizes need to improve management of ENC RWP
• NCWRC permanent rule allows coyote hunting on private land day or night, day hunting on public lands without a permit and night hunting with a permit
• NCWRC and Service sign Canid Management Agreement

2014

• Independent evaluation of the ENC RWP conducted by the Wildlife Management Institute
• Court ordered ban on all coyote hunting in ENC RWP (preliminary injunction)
• Preliminary injunction replaced with settlement agreement (between NCWRC and Plaintiffs) that allows hunting of coyotes on private land with a permit and no hunting on public lands (with narrow exception)

2015

• NCWRC issues resolution calling for the ENC RWP to be terminated
• Evaluation of entire recovery program, facilitated by Group Solutions, Inc. Reintroductions of Red Wolf into the wild and AMP voluntarily temporarily suspended while additional science and research into the feasibility of species’ recovery is gathered

2016

• Court injunction against take/removal of Red Wolves Service Recommendation Memo – new path to recovery; recovery of the Red Wolf is possible with significant changes

2017

• Commitment from partners to expand captive facilities

2018

• A Species Status Assessment and 5-year review for the Red Wolf completed
• Red Wolf approved as an AZA SAFE species (Saving Animals From Extinction)
• Red Wolf Center in Columbia, NC reopens through a partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Refuge Association
• Service proposes new 10(j) rule for ENC RWP
• Federal court ruling places permanent injunction against the taking of Red Wolves without demonstrating that the Red Wolf in question is a threat to human safety or the safety of livestock or pets
• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute hosts Red Wolf Science Workshop

2019

• National Academy of Sciences (NAS) confirms the Red Wolf is a distinct species
• NAS contracted by the Service to 1) assist in selecting proposals for a study to determine the taxonomy of unidentified wild canids in southern Louisiana, and 2) develop a research strategy to examine evolutionary relationships between ancient and contemporary Red Wolves
• $257,000 Recovery Challenge Grant awarded to Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) to build new enclosures (I.e., expand Red Wolf captive facilities)
• Reinitiated the Albemarle Peninsula Collaborative Canid Conservation team consisting of NCWRC and Service personnel
• Implementation of AMP resumes

2020

• Quarterly Red Wolf Partnership Coordination Calls begin
• $257,000 Recovery Challenge Grant awarded to C2S2 to build new enclosures for Red Wolves
• Service begins process for updating the Red Wolf Recovery Plan
• Service sued by the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the Southern Environmental Law Center for violations of the Endangered Species Act

2021

• Court orders the Service to draft a plan to release captive Red Wolves into the ENC RWP in consultation with scientists and experts in the field
• Releases from captivity and pup fostering resumes
• $257,000 Recovery Challenge Grant awarded to C2S2 to build new enclosures for Red Wolves
• Service submits a release plan to the court in March, followed by an amended plan in April
• A new Red Wolf Recovery Team is assembled to update the current Red Wolf Recovery Plan
• Service withdraws 2018 proposed new 10(j) rule for ENC RWP

2022

• Draft revised recovery plan available for review and comment - September 28, 2022

2023

• Final revised recovery plan published - September 29, 2023
• 2023-2024 Release Plan published - December 1, 2023

Federal Register Notices

Relevant documents, including 10(j) rules, recovery plan, 5-year review, and the SSA can be found on the ECOS ECOS
Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) serves a variety of reports related to FWS Threatened and Endangered Species.

Learn more about ECOS species profile page (https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/37). You can also conduct your own search on the Federal Register website (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/search).