1791-1980: Early History and Near Extinction
Black color phase of a red wolf in Louisiana, 1934.
The black color phase is assumed to be extinct.
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| 1791 |
Red wolf first described by Bartram. |
| 1851 |
First publication of valid scientific name for red wolf by Audubon and Bachman. |
| 1905 |
First recognition of red wolf as a distinct species by Bailey. |
| 1937 |
First recognition of three subspecies of red wolf by Goldman. |
| 1962 |
Scientific community informed by McCarly that red wolf is in danger of extinction. |
McCarly with red wolf
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| 1967 |
Red wolf listed as an endangered species under provisions of the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. |
| 1968 |
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service begins a study of the red wolf in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana |
| 1969 |
First red wolf placed into captivity initiating the red wolf captive-breeding center at Port Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (PDZA) in Washington state. |
| 1973 |
Endangered Species Act becomes federal law. First red wolf recovery plan completed and implementation begins. In a race against extinction, an all-out effort to collect wild red wolves for captive-breeding program begins. |
| 1977 |
First litter of red wolf pups born in captivity at PDZA. |
| 1978 |
First successful experimental release, tracking, and recapture of red wolves on Bulls Island, South Carolina, solidifies reintroduction techniques. |
| 1980 |
Last red wolves removed from the wild and red wolf declared extinct in the wild. Unique allele found by Ferrell et al. in Canis specimens from within red wolf range supports conclusion that red wolf is a distinct species. |
1984-1995: Back to the Wild
Red wolf tracks on a dirt road. Wolves frequently use
roads as travel routes.
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| 1984 |
Red wolf recovery plan revised, updated, and approved. Red wolf incorporated into AZA's Species Survival Plan. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR) established on land in northeastern North Carolina donated to USFWS by Prudential Insurance Company. |
| 1987 |
First reintroduction begins with the release of four pairs of red wolves into ARNWR. First island propagation project begins on Bulls Island in attempt to give red wolves some wild experience before release into mainland reintroductions. |
Wildlife biologist releasing a red wolf.
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| 1988 |
First litter of red wolf pups born in wild at ARNWR. |
| 1991 |
Second reintroduction project started by the release of red wolves into Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Wayne and colleagues publish mtDNA results, suggesting that the red wolf is of hybrid origin. American Sheep Industry Association files petition to delist red wolf based on mtDNA results. |
| 1992 |
Second-generation red wolf pups born in wild at ARNWR. 1991 petition request to delist the red wolf found unwarranted by USFWS. |
| 1993 |
Red wolves released into Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (PLNWR) near ARNWR. First red wolves born in the wild in GSMNP. |
Wildlife biologist placing a radio collar on a red wolf.
Blindfolding the wolf may help keep it calm.
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| 1994 |
Wayne and colleagues publish first nuclear DNA results suggesting, once again, that red wolf is of hybrid origin |
| 1995 |
Attitude survey by North Carolina State University shows majority of residents in eastern North Carolina support red wolf reintroduction. Amendment to Interior Appropriation Bill introduced in Senate to suspend all funding for Red Wolf Recovery Program. Amendment narrowly defeated.
North Carolina law to allow taking of red wolves on private property in two counties goes into effect. Revised relaxed Federal regulations published, addressing concerns about reintroduced red wolves. National Wilderness Institute files petition to delist red wolf based on nuclear DNA results.
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1996-2006: Facing the Challenges
An alpha pair of red wolves in the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park.
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| 1996 |
Economic study by Cornell University shows strong regional support for red wolf recovery, substantial potential tourism benefits, and a significant willingness to pay for red wolf recovery that far exceeds the costs of the red wolf program. Study by East Carolina University shows strong local support for red wolf recovery in northeastern North Carolina and a willingness to contribute financially to support the program. |
| 1997 |
The 1995 petition request to delist the red wolf found unwarranted by USFWS. Two North Carolina counties and two individuals file suit to invalidate federal regulations regarding the red wolf. Island propagation project initiated by releasing red wolves on Cape St. George Island off the Gulf Coast of Florida |
| 1998 |
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park program is terminated due to low pup survival and the inability of the wolves to establish home ranges within the Park. Adaptive Management Plan and PHVA initiated. |
| 1999 |
PHVA determines that hybridization with coyotes is the greatest threat to the recovery of the red wolf. An adaptive management plan is developed to address and manage hybridization. |
| 2002 |
The entire red wolf population in northeastern North Carolina is wild-born, except for two pups born at the North Carolina Zoological Park that are fostered into a wild den. |
| 2003 |
Litter of pups born at PDZA via artificial insemination using fecal hormone analysis to time insemination. |
| 2004 |
One of the 2002 fostered pups fathers a litter of eight. Two captive-born pups (born at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge) fostered into separate dens. |
| 2006 |
About 100 wild red wolves roam 1.7 million acres in northeastern North Carolina, and over 150 exist in the Species Survival Plan. Adaptive management is working to control the coyote population in the recovery zones and has seen measurable success.
With support from the Recovery Implementation Team, red wolf recovery continues to progress. New research techniques and data management are continually incorporate into the recovery effort.
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Wild red wolf. Photo by Barron Crawford.
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