In Human Care (ex situ)

Red wolf pack at the North Carolina Zoo

Why are some red wolves transferred to different facilities each year?

All red wolves are part of the US Fish and Wildlife Red Wolf Recovery Program and are considered temporary residents, no matter what facility they call their home today. And every year, the incredible Red Wolf Saving Species From Extinction (SAFE) leadership gets together to solve the complex puzzle of which wolves to pair for breeding. To do this, they take various factors into consideration (relatedness, age, previous breeding success, and more) to find the most and best possible pairs.

Not all wolves that are transferred will be paired up. Sometimes, they are moved to make space for a breeding pair and their potential offspring or for other reasons entirely. Either way, these transfers are a vital part of recovery efforts.