Red Wolf

Red Wolf Update

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The wild population of red wolves is currently composed of approximately 100 wolves comprising nearly 20 packs distributed across 1.7 million acres in five North Carolina counties. Population monitoring is done in a number of ways: trapping, scat sampling and tracking using ground and aerial telemetry.

Red Wolf Adaptive Management Plan

The Red Wolf Adaptive Management Plan began in 1999 and is implemented by the Red Wolf Recovery Program field team headquartered at Alligator River NWR. An independent panel of scientists, known as the Red Wolf Recovery Implementation Team, meets twice per year to review pertinent field data, discuss red wolf and coyote management and population dynamics, and make recommendations to the Service regarding adaptive management and red wolf recovery. Reviews by the Recovery Implementation Team show the Plan is effective in restoring the wild red wolf population and managing competitors (eastern coyotes). In 2005, the number of red wolf breeding pairs (packs or family groups) and red wolf litters trends upward while the number of breeding coyotes or hybrid litters trends downward. The Adaptive Management Plan utilizes a 3-zone approach over a 5-county area: Dare, Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort and Washington Counties and encompassing 1.7 million acres. Overall, the Red Wolf Adaptive Management Plan shows good progress in restoring red wolves and managing coyotes.

Red Wolf Captive Breeding Program

As part of the Red Wolf Recovery Program, the Red Wolf Captive Breeding Program is effectively implemented by 38 captive facilities across the United States. The effort is overseen by the Red Wolf Recovery Program Team Leader, Bud Fazio, located at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, and is coordinated by the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan Leader, Will Waddell, who is located at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. As of May, 2006, the current total number of wolves in the captive population is 184 (this number changes frequently). Red wolves are held in captivity for a number of reasons including cooperative breeding, reproduction research, and conservation genetics work. The breeding program maintains genetic diversity among red wolves and prepares a small number of red wolves for possible release into the wild.

Red Wolf Island Programs

The Red Wolf Recovery Program and Red Wolf Captive Breeding Program partner with two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges to raise red wolves in wild settings on islands. Young wolves growing up on these islands learn survival skills that prepare them for release into the wild red wolf population in northeastern North Carolina . The St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge in Florida maintains a pair of red wolves for breeding in the wild. The pair did have pups in 2005. Bulls Island is part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina and currently has no red wolves on site. There is a breeding pair and pups on Cape Romain's mainland property at the Sewee Visitor Center. The Cape Romain Refuge educates approximately 200,000 people per year about red wolves. These island programs play vital roles in the red wolf captive breeding program via education and producing wild-born red wolf pups for release.

Red Wolf Landowner Agreements

The Red Wolf Recovery Program is partner to conservation and access agreements with two different owners of private land comprising 15,445 acres. These tracts of land are strategically selected to maximize monitoring of red wolves and other canids in the northeastern North Carolina five county experimental population area.

Red Wolf Genetic ID Project (including M.S. & Ph.D )

The Red Wolf Recovery Program is working with wildlife genetics researchers to identify gene loci in red wolves and coyotes. This information provides red wolf biologists with data to distinguish and manage red wolves and other canids such as coyotes in the recovery area. Genetic analysis provides invaluable statistics on which to base sound management decisions that will ensure the success of the red wolf reintroduction effort and the long-term survival of the species. Both Master's degree and continuing Ph.D work at the University of Idaho have identified 18 gene loci in red wolves to date, making it easier to distinguish between red wolves and eastern coyotes.

Modeling the Wild Red Wolf Population

The Red Wolf Recovery Program is partnering with researchers from Trent University in Canada who are modeling survival and demographics of the North Carolina wild red wolf population. The population demographic model shows that the wild red wolf population will survive successfully with assistance from biologists in managing problem coyotes.

Red Wolf Captive Research Facility at North Carolina State University

In a joint effort between North Carolina State University and the Red Wolf Recovery Program, the first two holding pens of a six pen facility have been constructed to allow important research on captive red wolves. Research is being conducted on such topics as disease detection, physiological processes, food habits and behavior characteristics. Ultimately, information learned at the North Carolina facility will be very helpful in both the captive breeding effort and wild population management effort of the Red Wolf Recovery Program. Veterinary school faculty member Dr. Michael Stoskopf is also lead facilitator of the Red Wolf Recovery Implementation Team.

Howling Safaris 2005 16 Programs Approximately 1,100

Red wolf howlings have proven to be very popular programs on the Refuge. Because of overwhelming demand for howlings, a reservations system was instituted in 2003. The program continues to be free of charge and will begin June 14 for the 2006 season.

Red Wolf Program Presentations

The Red Wolf Recovery Program is contacted by a number of organizations, clubs and schools annually to give Red wolf presentations. During 2005, these presentations reached over 10,000 people through off-site programs. The eight red wolf staff members participate in red wolf outreach and education as their schedules permit.

"Far Traveler" teacher workshops are held semi-annually and focus on grades K-8. Twelve educators attended the May, 2006, workshop. As part of red wolf educational outreach, Discovery Boxes are circulated among educators. A Discovery Box contains red wolf teaching tools such as a red wolf pelt, collar, track cast, "Recovering A Species" video, howling cassette and informational materials. An additional box was added for 2005, bringing the total to three.

2005 staff changes: Ford Mauney joined the red wolf wildlife biology staff and Diane Hendry came on board as the Red Wolf Recovery Program Outreach Coordinator. Throughout the year, volunteer caretakers maintain the Sandy Ridge facility under the supervision of Chris Lucash, Red Wolf Wildlife Biologist. Duties include feeding wolves temporarily located in the pens, grounds maintenance, assistance with red wolf howling safaris, supporting the work of red wolf wildlife biologists, and other duties as assigned.

Red Wolf Coalition

The Red Wolf Recovery Program continues to work closely with the Red Wolf Coalition, a citizen-support organization whose mission is to educate and promote community awareness for the red wolf. Its Board of Directors consists of 12 members from various locations in North Carolina, Virginia and Washington DC. They co-sponsor howling safaris with the Service and participate in outreach events throughout the year.

Spring 2006 Data