The U.S. government has reached a settlement with conservation groups, agreeing to release more endangered red wolves into the wilds of North Carolina. It is believed that there are only about 30 red wolves remaining in the area.
The lawsuit was filed by the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Animal Welfare Institute against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2020. They took legal action after the service halted the release of captive-bred wolves. North Carolina is the sole location outside of zoos and wildlife refuges where red wolves can still be found.
The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the conservation groups, expressed satisfaction with the settlement. They emphasized the need to restore red wolves to their natural habitat and celebrate their success story.
Red wolves were once widespread in the Eastern U.S., but they were nearly wiped out due to trapping, hunting, and loss of habitat. In 1987, they were reintroduced to North Carolina, where their range is now limited to five counties. Over the years, scientists have maintained a captive population of nearly 300 wolves.
At one point, the wild population of red wolves in North Carolina exceeded 100 and remained stable until 2012. However, the population began to decline after the release of captive-born pups and the sterilization of competing coyotes were halted in 2015, following pressure from conservative politicians and landowners who viewed the wolves as a nuisance.
The red wolves’ territory consists mainly of farms and private land, and they have faced numerous threats over the years. At least 96 red wolves have been shot, and landowners have complained that the presence of red wolves makes it difficult to control coyotes. Night hunting of coyotes in red wolf territory was banned in 2014 due to the risk of mistaken identities.
The 2020 lawsuit highlighted the urgent need to protect the remaining red wolves in the wild, as their numbers had dwindled to as few as seven. The conservation groups argued that the Fish and Wildlife Service had violated the Endangered Species Act by halting the release of captive-bred wolves in 2015.
In response to the lawsuit, a federal judge ordered the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a plan to increase the population of wild red wolves while the case continued. The judge recognized the likelihood of the conservation groups’ success and the real possibility of extinction.
As part of the settlement agreement, the Fish and Wildlife Service will create and publish red wolf release plans for the next eight years. These plans will include measurable metrics to assess their effectiveness. The agency has acknowledged the importance of the Eastern North Carolina red wolf population and has committed to managing it in accordance with the Endangered Species Act.
Currently, there are 16 known or collared red wolves living in the wild, with an estimated total population of 32 to 34. The captive population stands at 278. The settlement has been hailed as a crucial step in preventing the extinction of wild red wolves by pulling them back from the brink.
In conclusion, the settlement between the U.S. government and the conservation groups is a significant victory for the protection and preservation of red wolves in North Carolina. It demonstrates a commitment to restoring their population in the wild and ensuring their long-term survival.
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