Red Wolf Puppies Arrive at Durham Museum: A Big Leap in Conservation Efforts

In Durham, North Carolina, the Museum of Life and Science is thrilled to announce the arrival of a new litter of critically endangered red wolf pups. The seven pups are a beacon of hope for the species and a significant milestone in conservation efforts. With fewer than 300 red wolves remaining in both zoos and the wild, the breeding program in zoos is vital 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 for the survival of the species. As part of the Red Wolf SAFE program, the museum plays a crucial 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 21. The pups are healthy and are expected to start emerging from their den in late May. Red wolves are known to be reserved around crowds and loud noises, so visitors are encouraged to be patient and 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 exist in eastern North Carolina with an estimated 18-20 wolves remaining in the wild. Visitors can purchase tickets to see these new red wolf pups as well as enjoy other indoor science exhibits and animal attractions at lifeandscience.org