Both F1397 and M1483 joined the WCC family in the fall of 2009. M1483 was transferred from the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WA and F1397 used to call the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, NC home. This pair is hands down our most popular wolf couple at the WCC. Tens of thousands of WCC supporters have been entertained by the secret lives of this elusive family via our red wolf WOLFCAM.
During early March, WOLFCAM watchers were treated to some VERY encouraging romantic behavior between five-year-old M1483 and his mate, six-year-old F1397! The lupine lovers carried on for a couple of days giving the thousands of peeping toms some hope that pups are on the way. The gestation period (length of pregnancy) for wolves is 63 days, so we this red wolf family could have reason to celebrate come early May!
This couple isn’t new to the Mating Game, they bred successfully during the 2010 season and had two beautiful sons, m180 and m1804. Their triumphant go at it in last winter may offer WCC guests a chance to observe a multi-generational pack of this critically endangered species! Endangered SSP wolves are usually kept away from human contact, but visitors to the WCC can catch glimpses of this pair because they are not destined to be released into the wild. Though they will live their lives in captivity, the pair is vital to the survival of red wolves as breeding stock. If F1397 has pups that are deemed suitable for reintroduction, they will be sneaked into litters in the wild. A number of captive born pups each year are selected to be transferred and inserted into the den of wild wolves. The wild wolves then embrace and raise these new pups as their own. The pups develop in the wild and thus gain survival skills required to mature and reproduce. Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned.
The Wolf Conservation Center family just got a whole lot bigger! Sometime on Friday the 4th May 2012 night Mexican wolf F749 quietly had eight pups under a thicket. All five boys and three girls appear to be in good health so now it’s time to let the new parents do their jobs.
This video was the first sight of the pups on saturday morning.
Now thats one happy wolf.
When WE say that wolf pups are cute, we really really mean it.
The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, NY promotes wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment and the human role in protecting their future.
The Wolf Conservation Center promotes wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment and the human role in protecting their future. This is accomplished through onsite and offsite education programs. These programs emphasize wolf biology, the ecological benefits of wolves and other large predators, and the current status of wolf recovery in the United States. The WCC also participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Recovery Plan for the critically endangered red wolf, and the Mexican gray wolf.
Founded in 1999. The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a 501c3 organization that promotes wolf conservation. We accomplish this mission by:
Promoting wolf conservation through education
Supporting wolf reintroduction in federally designated areas that can sustain viable wolf populations
Being the preeminent facility in the eastern United States for the captive breeding and pre-release of endangered wolf species; and
Providing the natural habitat for a few captive wolves where observation of natural behavior is possible
Through our education programs, we work to convey the following messages:
Wolves in the wild are not dangerous to people.
Wolves perform a vital role in the environment.
Wolves are not pets.
It is everyone’s responsibility to do something each day to make the world a better place.
If you would like to help us accomplish our mission, please click here!