May 30, 2025

The Museum’s Animal Care Team continues to periodically check in with the Red Wolf family, conducting regular vet exams as the pups grow. Now almost one month old, the three young male Red Wolves have their eyes open and are starting to venture outside the den for the first time. Here’s a look at their latest pup check!

At each check, the pups are weighed — an important metric that helps staff monitor individual growth patterns. This check’s records show:

• M2656: 1401 grams
• M2657: 1454 grams
• M2658: 1410 grams

During the pups’ first examination, the team noticed a small wound on the left hip of M2657 and administered an antibiotic treatment. The wound has now closed and is healing well! While we’re not certain how this specific instance occurred, these kinds of injuries are not uncommon and usually heal on their own or with medical interventions.

As we’ve said many times before, the first 30 days of life are critical for Red Wolf pups but, while dangers still exist for them outside of that timeframe, the risks decrease as the pups grow. Recommendations for the family’s future will be made at this summer’s Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Red Wolf SAFE planning meeting.

After four weeks of life, the habitat’s youngest residents are starting to venture outside the den for the first time, so Explore the Wild: Red Wolves will reopen to guests on Monday, June 2! Please remember to use quiet voices when walking by the habitat or at the overlook. These animals have sensitive ears and are shy in nature. We also ask for patience as the pups may not always be visible outside the dens or inside on the den cameras. The best times to see them are early in the morning just after opening, and later in the afternoon before the Museum closes.

Stay tuned for more from the wolf yard!