Red Wolf Population Growth

The Red Wolf population is currently at an all time low. Despite the Red wolf population having an extended life expectancy of 6-15 years because of positive human intervention (via wildlife conservative organizations) with an offspring reproduction output of approximately 2-8 pups per after a gestation period (about 60 days) (Kelly, B.T., Beyer, A. & Phillips, M.K. 2008.) The only population that currently exists is less than approximately 150 Red Wolves only found in the 6,000 km2 range woodlands of North Carolina, 1695.4 km2 of which is under human protective care (Hahn, D. 2000).

Using this given information, the population density of the known Red Wolf population found in North Carolina is only about 0.09 Red Wolves per km2 based on the total average of the four primary Red Wolf Refugee campgrounds spanning over 1695.4 km2 out of the ideal Red Wolf population estimated range of North Carolina (approximately 6,000 km2 long) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990).

Within conservation sites, the Red Wolf population density continues to rise exponentially due to aiding human intervention. With this the environment's distribution pattern becomes more of: Random, as the conservation staff actively ensures the areas are well stocked in terms of food and shelters, in addition to stabilizing the populations of the Red Wolves' predators (particularly the coyote population from hybridizing with the remaining Red Wolves).

After several testing’s it is estimated that Red Wolves that when released to non-conservative areas, have either died or were hybridized immediately. Therefore it has been estimated that the population density for Red Wolves outside conservation areas will continue to decline and the remaining few will experience more uniformed pattern interactions. The result of such pattern will bring forth hostile interactions between the remaining purebred Red Wolves and the other populations (Hahn, D. 2000.) Thus further resulting in negative implications on the Red Wolf population as the current Red Wolf population is not numerically feasible to sustain its own support outside humanitarian conservation areas (Kelly, B.T., Beyer, A. & Phillips, M.K. 2008).