Officials have ordered the release of endangered red wolves raised in captivity to the North Carolina wilderness area, where it is thought that about 30 of the canine species still roam freely, in response to concerns that they may go extinct by 2024.

Jump-Starting the Release

After the US Fish and Wildlife Service stopped releasing wolves raised in captivity, environmental organizations filed a lawsuit. They only exist in the wild outside of zoos and refuges for wildlife in eastern North Carolina.

On representatives of the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Animal Welfare Institute, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a complaint. Documents submitted in US District Court in North Carolina state that a settlement deal was struck on Wednesday.

According to Ramona McGee of the Southern Environmental Law Center, one of the world's most effective predator reintroduction programs took place in North Carolina for 25 years. According to McGee, this agreement clears the way for the red wolf to reclaim its due position as a famous success story.

Captive-Bred Endangered Red Wolves

Prior to their 1987 reintroduction to North Carolina, red wolves were nearly extinct over much of the Eastern US due to habitat destruction, trapping, and hunting. They only inhabit five counties in North Carolina. Nearly 300 wolves have been kept in captivity by scientists at zoos and other locations in recent years.

The state's natural population increased by over 100 after the red wolves were reintroduced and stayed constant through 2012, according to the Toronto Star.

By releasing captive-born pups and sterilizing competing coyotes, wolf populations were increased. However, those methods were abandoned in 2015 as a result of pressure from landowners and conservative politicians who thought wolves were a nuisance.

Red wolves live in a region where farms and private property predominate. Over the years, no fewer than 96 red wolves have perished from gunshot wounds.

Some landowners claim that the presence of wolves has made it more difficult to control coyotes. Because the dogs are readily confused, a federal judge in 2014 prohibited night hunting for coyotes in the red wolf area.

Red wolves are now restricted to just five counties in North Carolina. Approximately 30 of them are still living in the wild as of June 2023, according to the Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Also Read: Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups Born in Great Plains Zoo, Officials to Decide Future Relocation 

Extinction by 2024

A federal court was motivated by the lawsuit in 2021 to compel the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a strategy to increase the population of wild wolves while the lawsuit was pending.

In his ruling, US District Judge Terrence Boyle stated that while extinction is a very real prospect, the conservation groups were likely to triumph.

The Fish and Wildlife Service will create and release red wolf release plans for eight years, under the settlement agreement. Metrics for gauging performance will be included in the plans.

The organization asserts that it recognizes the significance of the red wolf population in Eastern North Carolina and is dedicated to managing it per the Endangered Species Act.

The Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that there were 32 to 34 red wolves in the wild overall as of June, but only 16 were known or had collars. The captive population of red wolves contained 278 individuals.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Johanna Hamburger, an Animal Welfare Institute, the deal saves wild red wolves from extinction.

Red wolves may become extinct in the wild by 2024, according to biologists who informed the Fish and Wildlife Service at the time this lawsuit was filed, according to Hamburger via ABC News.

Related Article: North Carolina Zoo Welcomes 12 More Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups from 3 Litters