New Red Wolf Pups Arrive at Durham’s Museum of Life and Science, Marking a Crucial Milestone in Conservation Efforts

In Durham, North Carolina, the Museum of Life and Science is thrilled to announce the arrival of seven critically endangered red wolf pups. This new litter marks a significant milestone in conservation efforts for the species and serves as a beacon of hope for their survival. With less than 300 red wolves remaining in zoos and the wild, the breeding program in zoos is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity through the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program.

Sherry Samuels, senior director of Animal Care at the museum, expressed her excitement about the new pups and their importance to the survival of the species. As part of the Red Wolf SAFE program, the museum plays a vital role in protecting and preserving the red wolf population. Oak, a 5-year-old female at the museum, gave birth to four male and three female pups on April 21st. The pups are healthy and are expected to start emerging from their den in late May.

Red wolves are known for being reserved around crowds and loud noises, so visitors are encouraged to observe them quietly. Oak was born in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2019 and has been at the museum since 2022 while Adeyha arrived from a zoo in Illinois in 2023. Red wolves were once found throughout North America but now only remain in eastern North Carolina with an estimated 18-20 wolves remaining in