Human Encroachment Threatens Endangered Red Wolves' Survival

The red wolf, the only wolf species found solely in the United States, was once declared extinct in the wild but was reintroduced in the late 1980s. However, the wild population is now on the brink of extinction due to gunshots, vehicle strikes, suspected poisonings, and government neglect. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is set to release an updated recovery plan proposing a quarter billion dollars over the next 50 years to rebuild and expand the wild wolf population, but the effort heavily relies on cooperation from private landowners who view the wolves as competition and a threat to their way of life. The wolves also face challenges from climate change and habitat loss, and their survival depends on finding suitable locations for other wild populations.