We are howling with excitement over the news that four American Red Wolf pups were born at the NEW Zoo! The pups were discovered in the red wolves’ den early on the morning of Friday, April 24th. The four young wolves represent an important addition to the population, as the red wolf is one of the most endangered canid species in the entire world. There are fewer than 30 individuals found in the wild today and only around 280 in human care.
The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is a proud participant in the Association of Zoo’s & Aquariums’ Red Wolf SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction program, which works in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife’s Red Wolf Recovery Program. The American Red Wolf was once found across the southeastern United States, up and down the eastern seaboard and as far west as Texas. Habitat loss and poaching had reduced the population so significantly by the late 1960s that hybridizing with coyotes became a serious threat to the species. By the late 1970s, only 14 true American Red Wolves remained in the world. Conservation efforts resulted in pups born in human care starting in 1977, and the first American Red Wolf reintroductions into the wild took place in 1987.
The four pups seem to be doing well so far under the protective care of their mother, Ajana, and father, Blade. Red wolves are highly social animals, with both parents working together to care for the young. The babies will remain in the den until they’re big and bold enough to begin exploring outside around 4 weeks of age. For now, zoo staff remain hands-off with the pups, only doing brief visual checks to give the parents time to bond and get comfortable with their new family. Additional updates on the pups’ growth will be shared on the Zoo’s social media pages in the future.
