Wolves in the East!

Photo Credit: USFWS

120: The number of red wolves living in the wilds of eastern North Carolina.

200: The number of red wolves currently in the USFWS's captive breeding program. 

46: The number of pups born in the wild in 2011.

18: The number of wolves remaining when the USFWS intervened in the 1970's.

Wolves have begun to spread throughout five counties in eastern North Carolina.  As they spread, they are sure to encounter human populations. How will these individuals perceive wolves? Will they see them as no more of a threat than a coyote, or will they inspire a fear reminiscent of their western counterpart, Canus lupus? After such a long absence, can they restore balance to the ecosystem? Will interbreeding with coyotes lead to the end of genetically pure red wolves?

These are all valid points, and only time/research will reveal the answers.

I, for one, hope that people welcome these creatures back to the lands they once roamed. Will there be conflict? Sure, but the end more than justifies the means. You will hear me say this over and over, but there is nothing in this world worth protecting more than biodiversity. If a species can win the evolutionary battle, it should be allowed to live through the era of man, and into whatever may come next.

From what I can see, these creatures seem to be getting along with people quite well thus far. Seeing as how they are much smaller than their western relatives, they pose much less of a threat to cattle (thankfully).

It is my hope that red wolves will one day be a symbol of successful conservation, much like the bald eagle and eastern bluebird.