October 22, 2024

For Immediate Release – October 22, 2024

Media Contacts:
Ro Rode, Director of Marketing and Communications
(561) 596-1410
ro.rode@lifeandscience.org

Durham, NC — The Museum of Life and Science is excited to announce the arrival of two new Red Wolves, Oka (M2048) and Martha (F2242), from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY. This exchange is part of Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE), an initiative designed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure the survival of critically endangered species like the Red Wolf.

Oka and Martha arrived on Monday, October 21, 2024, as part of a coordinated effort to support Red Wolf conservation and genetic diversity. In exchange, the Museum’s previous family — Adeyha (M2080), Oak (F2304), and their five pups, Cedar (M2562), Maple (F2566), Juniper (M2564), Tupelo (F2568), and Sassafras (F2567) — have relocated to the Wolf Conservation Center. This move provides them with a larger habitat, allowing them to stay together as a family.

“We are excited to welcome Oka and Martha to the Museum and continue educating the public on the importance of Red Wolf conservation,” said Sherry Samuels, Senior Director of Animal Care at the Museum. “This exchange is a critical step in preserving Red Wolves and fostering their long-term survival.”

The Museum’s work with the SAFE program is an essential part of its mission to protect endangered species. Through its dedicated efforts in conservation education, species management, and collaboration with national partners, the Museum plays a vital role in ensuring that animals like the Red Wolf have a chance to thrive. The partnership with SAFE underscores the Museum’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and preventing species from disappearing forever.

Visitors are encouraged to visit Oka and Martha in their new habitat and learn more about Red Wolves and how conservation programs like SAFE are making a difference. Please remember that the wolves will take some time to adjust to their new home.

For more information about the Museum’s red wolf conservation efforts, please visit lifeandscience.org

About the Museum of Life and Science
Located less than five miles from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Our 84-acre campus includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast, and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits. Our interactive experiences include Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek Railway, Hideaway Woods, Into the Mist, Earth Moves, and Aerospace, which features one of the largest collections of Apollo-era NASA artifacts in the state. The Museum is also an AZA-accredited zoo, home to rescued black bears, lemurs, endangered red wolves, and more than 60 species of live animals. For more than 75 years, the Museum has upheld its ongoing commitment to the communities of Durham, the Triangle, and North Carolina through programming, engagement, and research. To learn more, visit lifeandscience.org.

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