Four red wolf pups were recently born at the Woodlands Nature Station in Land Between the Lakes.
Red wolves are a critically endangered species and the addition of new pups was a happy accident. Lead naturalist John Pollpeter says the nature center was very excited because red wolves are a unique species. There are only around 200 left in the world.
click to download audioPollpeter says red wolves have historically been in the United States for a long time but were almost wiped out when European settlers moved to the southern region of the country.
click to download audioThe nature station received its female wolf, Ember, about a year ago. Jasper, their 13-year-old male wolf, has lived at the center since 2018 and they assumed his breeding cycle had ended. The Woodlands Nature Station has been part of a red wolf breeding program since 1991. Now, they are one of 45 organizations involved.
Together, Ember, Jasper, and their four puppies make up 3% of the global red wolf population. Pollpeter says the public is welcome to come to see them at the nature center.
click to download audioThere will be a naming ceremony for the new pups later in the summer.
In addition, upcoming events at the nature station include Dino day on June 18 with dinosaur programs and fossils from the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum.
More information about the Woodlands Nature Center and its red wolves can be found on its social media and website.
