Red Wolves (Canis rufus)

The red wolf (Canis rufus) is one of the world’s most endangered wild canids. Once common throughout the southeastern United States, red wolf populations were decimated by the 1960s due to intensive predator control programs and loss of habitat. A remnant population of red wolves was found along the Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana. After being declared an endangered species in 1973, efforts were initiated to locate and capture as many wild red wolves as possible. Of the 17 remaining wolves captured by biologists, 14 became the founders of a successful captive breeding program. Consequently, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) declared red wolves extinct in the wild in 1980. As of March 2021, a there is a single wild population comprising of only 10 known individuals.

Red wolves at WCC

Charlotte (F2121)

JACK (M1606)

TYKE (M2118)

LAVA (F2134)

SAM (M1784)

BEN (M2235)

DEVEN (M2236)

TOM (M2208)

NOTCH (M2206)

MARTHA (F2242)

SKYRAE (F2243)

MAX (M2240)

SHANE (M2239)

HUNTER (M2241)

RICH (M2238)