Did You Know North Carolina Is Home To The Only Wild Population Of Red Wolves In The World?
By Carolyn Harmon|Published March 06, 2024
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Carolyn Harmon
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Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
Did you know North Carolina is home to the world’s most endangered wolf? At one time, Red wolves roamed throughout the eastern seaboard from Pennsylvania to Florida and even out west into Texas. Today, you can only find them in North Carolina’s lovely Albemarle Peninsula. When the red wolf was first officially designated as a species that was threatened with extinction, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began efforts to conserve and recover the species. Today, approximately 17 red wolves roam their native habitats in eastern North Carolina as an experimental population, and about 241 live in 45 captive breeding facilities throughout the country.
This red wolf was spotted at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in East Lake, North Carolina.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Milltail Rd, East Lake, NC 27953, USA
As of 2022, Prey for the Pack has approximately 1,000 acres enrolled in habitat improvement and management, with each contract valid for 10 years. Learn more about the program on the Prey for the Pack web page.
You can see how easily their habitat can camouflage them.
The center is temporarily closed but will reopen soon. Check the Red Wolf Center web page for updates and more information.
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Here a pair of red wolves born and bred in captivity receive regular health checks and you can watch them through the cool viewing area. They have a volunteer caretaker.
Red Wolf Center, 1221 NC-94, Columbia, NC 27925, USA
Did you know North Carolina was home to these extraordinary red wolves? Have you been to the wildlife refuges mentioned in the story? If you’ve seen some of these beautiful creatures, please share your experience in the comments below.
