Red wolf recovery uses a lot of groundbreaking and unique management practices. One is releasing adult red wolves from acclimation pens located in the only wild recovery area in northeastern North Carolina. Recently, four adult red wolves, and even more recently, nine adult red wolves from human care were placed in these acclimation pens in preparation for release into the wild. 

The wild red wolf population was considered extinct in the wild in 1980 and successfully reintroduced beginning with first wild releases in 1987. By 2010, there were approximately 130 animals on the landscape, and the highly successful program won awards and became the model for canid and mammal recovery. (Yellowstone’s grey wolf reintroduction was modeled after the red wolf recovery program). 

Through political pressures, organizational strife, gunshot mortality from misidentification, and car strike, the wild population numbers plummeted. There are now only eight known red wolves in the recovery area. To bolster the population, adult red wolves are being released into the wild - it’s the first time since 1998.

Acclimation pens are built in selected areas of the recovery area, and red wolves are placed in them and fed natural prey items. This technique gives the animals time to adjust to their surroundings and food. After a designated length of time, the doors are opened, and the animals can embark on their passage to freedom.

Sadly, three of the original four released succumbed to car strike and one to gunshot. Read more about them on our recent red wolf survival plan update. 

Two of the nine were just released, and Reflection Riding has direct connections with four of them. A male, Garnet, was born at Reflection Riding in 2016, and his sister, Ruby, remains with us She has produced two litters, and we hope for a possible third this season. You can watch Garnet's incredible release here. 

In the very near future, a female will be released. She is the offspring of a female who was born at Reflection Riding. Two others are offspring of red wolves who are currently in our care.

As you can see, our work is integral to the success of this program. The work we do every day gets us closer to the red wolf being sustainably thriving on the landscape, which directly impacts the health of our environment. When our environment is healthy, we are healthy. For me, the release of all these red wolves is a huge cause for celebration and personally, a very rewarding event. Giving these animals their freedom is what my work is all about.