Navy OLF Threatens Red Wolves
The Lake Pungo area of Washington and Beaufort Counties, NC harbors a vast array of wildlife. On the western fringe of the Poscosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, this region is home to endangered red wolves and to other animals including many species of birds. Located in the Atlantic Flyway, the wildlife refuges in eastern North Carolina are critical to the survival of migratory birds that use the area as a stopover during migrations and to other birds that depend on this habitat for over-wintering. Migratory raptors, waterfowl and shore birds nest here, and the area is known for its large flocks of birds including geese, swans and ducks.
The Navy has recently released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) proposing a project with the potential to cause significant disruption and damage to the area’s wildlife. Plans are underway to build facilities to support the home basing and operation of 10 Super Hornet jet aircraft squadrons in North Carolina. The facilities and the Outlying Landing Field (OLF) will encompass an estimated 28,000 acres. Of great concern to The Red Wolf Coalition and to other organizations such as the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife, is the absence of any strategies in the FEIS to reduce or eliminate the potential negative impact to area wildlife including the red wolf. For example, the FEIS does not state how many buildings will be on the proposed site including any plans for future expansion. Additionally, the FEIS does not state how much of the area will be fenced (including the type of fencing) nor does it address how the Navy plans to manage the 28,000 acres of habitat surrounding the landing strip.
The Red Wolf Coalition recognizes the fact that military sites can actually be havens for wildlife. Wolves thrive on some of these sites, including bombing ranges where packs den and raise their pups where aircraft fly at low altitudes and practice bombing runs create noise. The Coalition and its supporting organizations appreciate the Navy’s need to improve facilities and military capabilities. However, the Coalition is concerned about how a high number of Super Hornet take-offs and landings could interefere with the success of the Red Wolf Recovery Program. The primary threat of the proposed OLF may be the potential loss of access to the recovery area by biologists. One critical aspect of the Red Wolf Recovery Program is the Adaptive Management Program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The problem of hybridization with coyotes requires intensive live trapping and other management procedures. It is essential for USFWS to have access to red wolves to maintain the coyote control program and to ensure the genetic purity of the red wolf population.
A second area of concern is for the red wolves themselves. The noise and the disturbance caused by the aircraft could seriously impact red wolf communication, prey populations, hunting success and reproduction. In addition, reduced red wolf habitat could hinder red wolf dispersal, the formation of new packs and the continued growth of the carefully-nurtured red wolf population.
The Red Wolf Coalition opposes the construction of the proposed OLF as a result of actual and potential negative impacts on wolves in eastern North Carolina. In a letter written by Jennifer Gilbreath, the Red Wolf Coalition Board of Directors has asked the Navy to provide the following information prior to a final decision on this FEIS:
- Greater specific information to USFWS and to the public about its use of the site in initial phases and in the future. This information needs to demonstrate that the Navy’s OLF project will not interfere with USFWS’s efforts to control hybridization and to increase the red wolf population. Approximately 100 red wolves live the five-county recovery area. This is heartening for a species once officially extinct in the wild; however, 100 individuals will not ensure the red wolf’s continued existence.
- A plan, coordinated through USFWS, specifying how the Navy will cooperate with Fish and Wildlife and other organizations to ensure that the Adaptive Management Program can continue “protecting and promoting the growth of a self-sustaining, non-hybridizing population of red wolves.”
Statistics From USFWS Second Quarter Report
Number of radio-collared wolves: 64
Number of confirmed births: 39
Number of captive red wolves: 159
Number of radio-collared hybrids/coyotes: 15
Number of deaths: 5
Number on islands: 3
Number of wolf packs: 20 known or suspected
Click here to review the entire report.
Red Wolf News From Here and There
Wolf Rousts Dogs From Den Site
During a telemetry flight, two Labrador retriever-size dogs were observed foraging very close to a know wolf den on Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (PLNWR), moving quickly from one bush to another as if looking for something. Suddenly, the alpha male red wolf ran into the area, and finding the dogs there, he began nipping them from behind. This harassment continued for over 15 minutes with the dogs often turning to face the wolf which held its ground with hackles raised. Eventually, the alpha male pushed the dogs from the area, and he returned to the den site.
Morning Chase
During early-morning field work, one of the Red Wolf Recovery Program biologists was working off the road when he heard a commotion from a nearby canal. All at once a fawn ran through the brush less than 30 yards away. Chasing the fawn was the breeding pair from another pack on the PLNWR. The wolves were fast, but the fawn outran them. Both wolves gave up the chase and walked away to a spot where they rested, spending much of the day lying down and napping!
Red Wolf Center Capital Campaign is Succeeding!
Thanks to our supporters in the community and to our members and friends in the business community, the Red Wolf Coalition is acquiring the funding to build the long-anticipated Red Wolf Center near Columbia, NC. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS MORE DETERMINED THAN EVER TO “PUT A SPADE IN THE GROUND” AND TO GET THE CENTER UNDERWAY! PLEASE JOIN US IN THIS EFFORT. EVERY SINGLE NICKEL, DIME, QUARTER AND DOLLAR COUNT! Your contributions will build and sustain our operating budget, or they can be designated for the Red Wolf Center.
A STANDING HOWLATION FOR OUR BUSINESS DONORS!
Carolina Imaging, Duck, NC
Visit www.stay-usa.com for premiere vacation and rental properties across the nation!
Aginet, Kitty Hawk, NC
Providing Internet access, word processing, scanning, printing and much, much more!
North Beach Outfitters, Duck, NC
Great clothes & outdoor adventure gear
Salty Paws, Kitty Hawk, NC
Homemade dog biscuits & gifts for pets
Coastal Kayak, Duck, NC
Kayak eco-tours with professionally-trained guides making kayaking easy to learn and fun for the child & adult, novice & experienced paddler alike.
Front Porch Café, Kill Devil Hills, NC
Best coffee on the beach! A big thanks for the weekly meeting space & iced caramel machiattos. Yum!
Bold Print Designs, Kill Devil Hills, NC
A full-service graphic company offering high-quality designs with complete project fulfillment.
Kellogg’s Hardware, Duck, NC
Duck’s famous hardware & houseware store. A favorite for visitors & locals.
Art Co-Op, Kill Devil Hills, NC
Art cooperative featuring pottery, paintings, jewelry & classes. Beautiful! THANKS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL CARDS & STATIONERY!
Beaker’s Deli, Duck, NC
Best deli in Duck! Fresh sandwiches, salads, coffee & more. Jen & Aubrey recommend the Island Wrap!
Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, NC
Oldest pier on the Outer Banks, complete with a restaurant, arcade & educational programs for all ages.
Dagen Construction, Galesburg, IL
Specializing in grain storage systems. Call (309) 343-7943.
Cloud Nine, Nags Head, NC
Eclectic jewelry & a beader’s paradise!
ORGAN IZATIONAL SUPPORTERS
Defenders of Wildlife (Washington, DC)
Thanks for all you do for red wolves, countless other species, wild lands and the environment!
The International Wolf Center (Minneapolis and Ely, MN)
Thanks for helping with public awareness and education through the web site and the quarterly magazine!
INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY SPONSORS
Christopher Crowe • Debbie Reynolds • Diane Flock • Jerry Sanders & Debbie Hinchcliffe • Pete and Mary Jo Friedman • Sierra Hollister • Marilyn Stewart • Cornelia Hutt • Robert Wallace • Tom, Rusty, Maddie & Tad Hutt • Michelle & Greg Webb • Frank and Janell Klein • Malcolm Zuidema • Sean Lykins
Join The Red Wolf Coalition
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