Characteristics of The Red Wolf Population

Once roaming the United States as top predators, from Pennsylvania to Texas and Florida [as shown by the image above], the Red Wolves, also known as Canis Rufus, became one of the world’s most endangered wild Candids. (Defenders.org) Provided is a brief historical timeline.

As a result of the industrial revolution, hunting, and major habitat loss, the population of wild Red Wolves began to drastically decline.
In 1965, the population of red wolves was only about 50 as opposed to 1,500 in the year of 1930. It is believed that the main reason for this population decline was hybridization between Red Wolves and Coyotes. (For World’s only)
By the year of 1967, Canis Rufus became listed as endangered by the ESPA (Endangered Species Preservation Act).
After two years, the first Red Wolf captive breeding program was initiated by Point Defiance zoo in Tacoma, Washington.
The success was reflected in 1977 when the first litter of Red Wolf pups was born.
In 1980, the last Red Wolves were captured from the plains of North Carolina. Shortly after, the species was declared biologically extinct in the wild. It was at this moment that all organizations, funds, and Red Wolf conservation programs came to the rescue of these unique and rare organisms. There were only 14 Red Wolves left!

Luckily, the captive breeding proved successful and as calculated in the year of 2015, approximately 200 live in captive breeding programs while 50 roam freely three islands off the coast of Florida and Georgia. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) The Red Wolves are the first species in the world which, after being declared extinct in the wild, were successfully saved and repopulated.

The natural pattern of growth for Red Wolves is similar to its relative candid species. Basically, a Red Wolf litter consists of about 1-10 pups and the litters are carried about once per year. (Earth’s Friends) The lifespan of wolves in the wild is 4-5 years as opposed to captive breeding offering 15 years. For Red Wolves the growth pattern has been parabolically shaped. Having dropped to a minimum during the 1970s -1980s, the population began to increase began and is currently rising.

Since the captive breeding programs have the Canis Rufus population under control and there is more awareness among citizens, it is most likely that Red Wold population will grow steadily over the next 5 years, until an environmental carrying capacity is reached. Many organizations have passed laws which ban hunting in Red Wolf rehabilitation areas. Those who do not follow the rules will be subjected to pay large fines.

Speaking about natural limiting factors, the main one is the complete interbreeding between Red Wolves and coyotes. Many efforts have been made by people to prevent it: from making traps traps, to luring coyotes into different regions, sterilizing them... etc. Yet all of these attempts fail to provide any result. (For World’s Only) Another limiting factor is climate. Given that the entire current range of this species are small, marshy coastal areas of about 2-4 feet in elevation. Natural elements such as rain storms and hurricanes, which influence large rises in sea level remain a big threat for Canis Rufus. (Defenders)