In a massive blow to conservationists in North America, five little red wolf pups were found dead after their father was struck and killed in an accident in East Lake, North Carolina. The pups born in early spring to a female named Chance did not survive because the mother could not care for them alone. The red wolf is a critically endangered wolf species not just in North America; it is one of the rarest wolf species in the world. Currently there are less than 20 living in the wild in North Carolina.
A Devastating Blow for Conservationists
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chance, a female wolf recorded as 2413F, gave birth to five pups and her mate 2444M. Tragically, the male, while wandering on U.S. 64 in East Lake, North Carolina, was hit by a vehicle and killed on the spot. Since red wolves are monogamous, Chance could not provide for her pups alone without her mate. The litter was found dead in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and confirmed by wildlife authorities soon after. Incidentally, the refuge is home to the last wild population of red wolves in the US.
A Critically Endangered Species
Red wolves are critically endangered, with fewer than 20 left in the wild, making them the rarest wolf species globally. Once widespread across the southeastern U.S., they only survive in North Carolina’s Alligator River Refuge due to extensive predator control and habitat loss. Vehicle collisions, especially on Highway 64, are a significant threat, becoming the leading cause of death. In the past 14 months, five other red wolves have also been killed by vehicles near where wolf 2444M recently died, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.
A Big Loss to Conservationist Efforts
The loss is significant to conservation, especially since the species has been battling extinction. Red wolves are listed under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, and the population continues to dwindle, with multiple road-related deaths impacting recovery efforts.
Campaigns For Wildlife Crossings
The Center for Biological Diversity has been actively campaigning to build wildlife crossings to prevent such accidents in red wolves’ habitats. Wildlife officials emphasize that red wolves are monogamous, and both parents are crucial in rearing pups, making this incident even more devastating.
Recovery Fraught with Challenges
Despite ongoing recovery plans, such as the 2023-2024 release strategy by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, efforts to revive the population have been fraught with challenges.
Urgent Calls for Action Conservationists are pushing for more robust protections, including expanding safe passages and wildlife corridors. The increasing number of red wolves killed by vehicles highlights the need for rapid intervention to save this critically endangered species from further decline.
Watch a related video on Red Wolves below.
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