Update on red wolves in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

By on February 28, 2023

(Red Wolf Recovery Program)

A red wolf pup wearing its new radio collar. (Red Wolf Recovery Program)

The Red Wolf Recovery Program that is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently posted this update on the wolves in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

As of this update, all 5 remaining red wolf pups (3 females, 2 males) born in the Milltail area of Alligator River NWR in the Spring of 2022, now have orange radio collars. These collars identify them as red wolves to help with their protection and allow us to monitor them, particularly since some of them will likely naturally disperse over the next year or so. Each of the radio collars also has reflective material to help make them more visible, especially at night along roadways. And each of the collars bears a unique letter ID.  The pups were released back within their family group’s home range. All appear healthy, ranging in weight from 40-55 pounds.

We also have a mortality to report from late January. Adult male 2101M was an almost 9-year-old male in poor health with mange and a heart condition. Not long before his death, we also observed him with a substantial leg injury. A pending necropsy will tell us more about his cause of death.

With these updates, the known (collared) population of red wolves in the wild in the Eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population (ENC RWP) is 14 and the total estimated population in the wild in the ENC RWP is 17-19.

Additional details, such as each pup’s studbook number and letter ID on the collar, can be found on our website below. Thank you as always for your support of the Red Wolf Recovery Program! https://www.fws.gov/project/red-wolf-recovery-program

 

 

 

 

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