A Recovery Implementation Strategy (RIS) is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's recovery planning process. It takes the recovery actions in a species' Recovery Plan and breaks them into specific, on-the-ground activities. The RIS describes what work needs to be done, who will do it, and when those activities are expected to take place. It is designed to be a flexible, short-term guide that can be updated as recovery efforts move forward.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses a three-part recovery planning process for listed species that includes: (1) a Species Status Assessment, (2) a Recovery Plan, and (3) a Recovery Implementation Strategy. The RIS for the Red Wolf was developed by the Red Wolf Recovery Team, which was formed in 2021 to help develop the revised Recovery Plan and identify the actions needed to put that plan into practice. Please refer to our Recovery Planning Framework and Fact Sheet for more information.

The Recovery Plan identifies the actions needed to recover the Red Wolf. The RIS builds on that plan by describing the specific work needed to carry out those actions, including who may be involved, how the work may be done, and when it may occur. Because the RIS is a separate document, it can be updated more easily as conditions change or new information becomes available.

No. The RIS is intended to be updated as needed. As we learn more about the Red Wolf, its habitat, and the challenges it faces, recovery activities may change. The RIS also includes activities that may help recover the species, but many of those activities will require additional planning, coordination with partners, funding, and, when appropriate, separate decision-making before they can move forward.

No. The RIS does not identify or approve new reintroduction sites. Any future reintroduction outside the existing Red Wolf population in North Carolina would require close coordination among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife agencies, and other partners. Together, they would evaluate potential locations using the best available science, including population viability analyses, research studies, and information from the Recovery Plan, to determine whether sites are both biologically and socially suitable.

No. The RIS is not a regulatory document. It does not change existing laws or regulations, create new land-use restrictions, or impose new requirements on private landowners.

No. Including an activity in the RIS does not guarantee funding. Whether an activity moves forward depends on available funding and staff, its priority, coordination with partners, and other practical considerations.

Recovery activities will be carried out over time. The schedule will depend on priorities, available funding and staff, coordination with partners, and other logistical considerations.

Activities in the RIS follow the same priority rankings assigned to the recovery actions in the Recovery Plan, as required by the Endangered Species Act.

• Priority 1: Actions needed to prevent the species from becoming extinct or suffering irreversible decline.
• Priority 2: Actions needed to prevent significant declines in the population or habitat. 
• Priority 3: Other actions that support the species' full recovery. 

No. The organizations listed as potential partners are those that may have the expertise, authority, or resources to help with a particular activity. Listing an organization does not require it to participate. Any recovery activity will depend on each partner's authorities, priorities, available funding and staff, and other considerations.

Yes. Recovering the Red Wolf will require support and involvement from many partners, including local communities. The Recovery Plan recognizes the importance of public engagement and working together to address challenges facing the species. When future recovery activities require public involvement, opportunities for public input will be provided in accordance with applicable laws and agency processes.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Red Wolf Recovery Program website is the best place to find the latest information about recovery efforts. We encourage anyone interested in Red Wolf conservation to check the website regularly for updates, resources, and announcements.