Red wolves aren't only the most endangered wolf in the world - they're also the most endangered canine in the world. Despite this, they actually have some exciting news to share: four different red wolf mamas
just gave birth to litters of new pups! According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
only around 23-24 red wolves remained alive in the wild before these births. Now, thanks to the addition of these new baby wolves, that number has climbed up to 35-40 red wolves!
Sign the petition to urge continued funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Red Wolf Recovery program, and for the U.S. Congress to hold steady on preserving the Endangered Species Act!Red wolves used to roam across much of the southeast of today's U.S., from Texas all the way to New York state. But these days, they only live in a section of North Carolina, in its eastern region.
In 1980, they were declared extinct in the wild, with the only remaining species members living in captivity.
Now, thanks to the dedicated work of researchers and conservationists, red wolves are finally starting to make a comeback in the wild! But that doesn't mean they're without ongoing threats to their survival. Every single red wolf is still a rarity, and the species still stands on the brink of extinction. Its main threats to survival are from human causes - death via shooting, trapping, or other forms of hunting, or through habitat loss caused by construction and climate change.
This species is incredibly important for the ecosystems around them; in fact,
red wolves are considered a 'keystone' species, because their role is so crucial. They help maintain a healthy, functioning food chain. By keeping other wildlife populations in check, they also help protect the local floral and fauna, which has a cascading effect that benefits the whole environment.
However, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) - which helps protect red wolves and other wildlife - is under attack in the U.S. The Trump Administration has repeatedly made threats to roll back portions of the ESA and to specifically target species of wolves. Luckily, the ESA was an act of Congress, so lawmakers can continue to decide to maintain this law and protections for wolves.
Sign the petition urging Congress to hold strong on the Endangered Species Act, and to continue funding programs to support red wolves' survival! 