BACKGROUND
The red wolf, a smaller and more slender cousin of the timber wolf, originally roamed throughout the eastern United States as far north as Pennsylvania and as far west as central Texas. Like the timber wolf, the red wolf was persecuted relentlessly by people who mistakenly believed it posed a threat to livestock and humans. Under the guise of "predator control," farmers, ranchers and hunters shot, trapped, poisoned and clubbed to death these cinnamon-colored canids. By 1967, the red wolf was considered an endangered species.

In an effort to prevent the red wolf’s final demise, in 1975 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) captured the remaining red wolves, which numbered fewer than 20. These animals were successfully bred in captivity and their numbers increased steadily over the years. Although declared extinct in the wild in 1980, there were enough captive animals by 1987 to begin a reintroduction program to return them to their rightful place in the wild. It was the first reintroduction in the United States of a species that was officially extinct in the wild.

RECOVERY
Reintroduction of the species began in 1987, when captive animals were released into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North Carolina, with later releases in nearby Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, several of the area’s private landowners have also agreed to allow the wolves to live on their property. Today, there are between 60 and 100 red wolves, about 90% of which were born in the wild. Zoos continue to breed red wolves in captivity and the FWS will make additional releases when appropriate sites have been established. In 1991, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was identified as a suitable release site but red wolves have not been able to survive there and FWS relocated the wolves from this region.

WHY RESTORE WOLVES?
Wolves, like all predators, are an important component of the ecosystems they inhabit. Red wolves help keep deer populations healthy because they prey primarily on the weakest animals, ensuring that only the stronger, more fit individuals survive to reproduce. Red wolves also hunt, and help control, populations of raccoons, rabbits, and opossums, which are numerous in northeastern North Carolina. Maintaining such fundamental ecological processes is the foundation for a balanced, healthy wilderness. And, contrary to popular belief, red wolves rarely prey on domestic animals, preferring to stay well away from animals associated with human scents.

Wolf restoration can actually benefit local economies by bringing more tourist dollars. A 1997 study conducted by William Rosen at Cornell University found that 70% of the people surveyed expressed more interest in visiting northeastern North Carolina because wolves were present. The study estimated that tourism in the region would increase, resulting in increased revenues of at least $170 million annually because of the wolves’ presence.

THE FUTURE: NEXT STEPS
Biologically, the red wolf reintroduction program has been a success. However, the red wolf is not out of danger. With such small numbers in the wild, the population is in constant danger of extinction from natural disasters such as disease and interbreeding with coyotes. Defenders is working with FWS to ensure the future of this species.

More serious of a concern than the need for land, however, are the few misguided individuals who do not understand the importance of wolf recovery and attempt to halt the recovery process. On March 3, 1997, two landowners and two North Carolina counties filed a lawsuit to overturn the FWS regulation governing the killing or trapping of endangered red wolves on private property. Intervening on behalf of FWS, Defenders began the court battle to protect the wolves in June 1997. In late December 1998, U.S. District Court Judge Terrence W. Boyles ruled in favor of Defenders and rejected the challenge to the U.S. FWS red wolf reintroduction program. In February 1999, the plaintiffs filed a notice indicating their intent to appeal the decision and their appeal was heard in October 1999. On June 6, 2000 the U.S. 4^th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld ruling that the special regulation was constitutional.

Defenders is also working to educate local people about the true nature of the wolf, its role in ecosystems and finding ways to minimize conflict with humans. Without public support, the red wolf’s future is still uncertain.

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
Defenders of Wildlife has been supporting red wolf recovery since the mid-1980s through advocacy and education. Defenders is a nonprofit conservation advocacy organization with over 400,000 members and supporters dedicated to protecting the diversity of species in their natural habitats. Established in 1947, Defenders is one of the nation’s most effective advocates for endangered species.