August 14, 2024

For the past 30 years I spend part of every July meeting with folks committed to Red Wolf conservation. People from facilities housing Red Wolves, USFWS personnel, scientists, researchers, staff from private NGOs, and more, all come together to review the state of the Red Wolf. The USFWS Red Wolf Recovery Program works hand in hand with AZA’s American Red Wolf SAFE program to save the Red Wolf. More than 60 people attended this year’s three-day meeting.

The topic list is long. We get an update on what’s going on with the Red Wolves in the wild and those under human care, and the work of not-for-profits dedicated to wildlife conservation. We hear about health issues from the past year(s), or specific research projects being conducted (like on gut biomes, or fecal hormone monitoring, or even sperm collections). We use the expertise of the participants to discuss and brainstorm solutions for husbandry challenges, how to participate more effectively in scientific studies, or even how to support more behaviorally fit Red Wolves for release to the wild. Check out this amazing movie (do you have ten minutes?) — Waya, Saving Our Red Grandfather. It highlights the cultural significance of the Red Wolf to the Cherokee people.

We heard from several researchers, including one of my favorites, Dr. Jen Nagashima. We’ve sent samples to her for several studies (poop from several wolves over the years so Dr. Nagashima’s team can track hormone levels), and she’s been at the Museum a couple times collecting her own samples. Click here to see a Field Trip Friday she helped the Museum with a few years ago.

Another one of my favorite people to hear from is Dr. Karen Wolf. YES, really, the veterinary advisor for the Red Wolf is named Dr. Wolf. Dr. Wolf is based at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, WA, where she cares for more than just Red Wolves.

Every year we also work on the breeding and transfer plans for the entire Red Wolf population. Our Population Biologist uses an incredible computer program that knows the genetic values of each Red Wolf. We review the specific status of the entire population, what each of the 49 institutions’ wants and needs are, and how many breeding pairs we need to reach our goals. The room is set up with large pieces of paper on the walls representing each institution and post it notes representing each Red Wolf. Visually, and tangibly, it allows us to see all the wolves and even move sticky notes (wolves) that need to be moved.

The final plan comes out the end of August. All the institutions will approve and know what the plans are for the coming year. The amount of information and work that goes into the breeding and transfer plan is immense. In 2023, the final plan had 42 wolves moving to create 34 breeding pairs (with more than 46,000 miles covered during these transfers). The plan for 2024/25, just like all the years before, will be the best we can do to help keep the Red Wolf population genetically stable and growing.

Since 1992 the Museum has been the temporary home to about 60 Red Wolves. Every year we do what is best, whether that be housing siblings, a breeding pair, a family, or moving some — or even all — of our Red Wolves. This year will be the same. Whatever the Museum can do to save the Red Wolf from extinction is what we will do.