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Red wolves mate for life and form socially complex packs in which only the alpha, or most dominant pair breeds.
photo: Tom Gillespie
Characteristics: This highly endangered canid is one of two wolf species in North America. The gray wolf is larger than the red wolf and occupies a different range. The red wolf is a medium-sized canid that typically weighs 50-60lbs. The North Carolina Zoo is currently working with other organizations to reintroduce this important predator to Alligator River National Refuge.
Diet: Red wolves are carnivores that eat small prey such as rabbits, rodents and nutria. They occasionally take larger prey like white-tailed deer.
Reproduction: Red wolves mate for life and form socially complex packs in which only the alpha, or most dominant pair breeds. Females typically give birth to one litter of 2-8 pups each year. All pack members aid in the care of pups.
Environmental Connections: Interbreeding and hybridization with coyotes poses a major threat to red wolves. Coyote populations in some areas have increased since the reintroduction program at Alligator River began and now they frequently breed with red wolves. Experts are working to reduce hybridization and ensure the continuation of a pure red wolf species.
Humans once feared large carnivores like the red wolf and they were hunted to the brink of extinction. We now realize wolves are important predators that keep small prey populations under control and ecosystems balanced.
While their home range once extended from northern regions like Pennsylvania and possibly New England to Florida and Texas, wild red wolves today exist only on small refuges in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. Red wolves occupy a variety of habitats depending on available prey including wetlands, woodlands and agricultural lands. Wolves at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge reside in wetlands and swamps near the Alligator River.
Wildlife reintroduction benefits the economy as well. An economics study estimated that for every $1 spent on red wolf reintroduction, $9 was generated through tourism. Tourism is one of North Carolina’s largest industries and many people today seek out vacations to explore natural places and see native wildlife.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
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