Six red wolf pups, a critically endangered species, were born at the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota. Zoo announced Thursday.
The red wolf species, which is one of only two wolf species in North America, has a dangerously small population and it is included On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The red wolf is “critically endangered” the stage before its “extinction in the wild” and its numbers are expected to continue to decline, according to the IUCN.
As of May 2023, there were approximately 23 to 25 red wolves in the wild and 278 in captivity, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) estimated.
The new litter, consisting of two females and four males, is offspring Red wolf species survival planIt is supervised by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The plan partners with animal sanctuaries and zoos to help breed red wolves in captivity.
The USFW said that because of the efforts of recovery programs, the species has returned after being declared extinct in the wild in 1980 due to human persecution and habitat loss.
The new litter’s parents — Camellia, from Washington, and Yossi from Texas — are first-time parents who take care of their young as best they can, the zoo said. Meanwhile, zookeepers watch the wolves at all times with a live camera.
“We are fortunate to have veterinary medical staff and animal welfare staff who have worked with red wolves for over 15 years,” said Joel Locke, director of animal care at the Great Plains Zoo. “We had our last litter from our previous pair of red wolves in 2016, so the team is well versed in red wolf care.”
As the pups grow larger, they will be allowed to roam around their exhibit as long as visitors comply with the zoo’s request to be quiet around the animals, so that they or their parents are not exposed to environmental stressors.
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