Red Wolf Miracle: North Carolina Museum Welcomes New Litter of Endangered Pups, Boosting Conservation Efforts

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina is thrilled to announce the birth of seven critically endangered red wolf pups. This new litter represents a beacon of hope for the species and a significant milestone in conservation efforts. With less than 300 red wolves remaining in zoos and the wild, the breeding program in zoos is vital for maintaining genetic diversity through the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program.

Sherry Samuels, the senior director of Animal Care at the museum, expressed her excitement about the new pups and their importance for the survival of the species. As part of the Red Wolf SAFE program, the museum plays a crucial role in protecting and preserving the red wolf population.

Oak, a 5-year-old female at the museum, gave birth to four male and three female pups on April 21. The pups are healthy and are expected to start emerging from their den in late May. Red wolves are known to be reserved around crowds and loud noises, so visitors are encouraged to be patient and observe them quietly.

Oak was born in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2019 and has been at the museum since 2022 while Adeyha arrived from a zoo in Illinois in 2023. Red wolves were once found throughout North America but now only exist in eastern North Carolina with an estimated 18-20 wolves remaining in