Six critically endangered red wolf pups were born at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, on May 31.
The pups, two females and four males, are the first for parents Camelia and Uyosi, who arrived at the zoo from Washington and Texas, respectively, in October 2022.
The birth of these pups is a major milestone for the red wolf population, which is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. There are only an estimated 23 to 25 red wolves left in the wild, and the species is facing a number of threats, including habitat loss, hunting, and interbreeding with coyotes.
The Great Plains Zoo is a member of the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program that aims to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of red wolves in captivity. The pups born at the zoo will play an important role in this program, and they could eventually be released back into the wild.
The pups are currently being cared for by the zoo’s animal care staff. They are being monitored closely for their health and development, and they are receiving regular veterinary care. The pups are not yet on display to the public, but they will be in the coming weeks.
The birth of these pups is a hopeful sign for the future of the red wolf species. The zoo is committed to doing its part to help save this endangered species, and the birth of these pups is a major step in the right direction.