At the recommendation of the Red Wolf SAFE program, the Woodlands Nature Station transferred Trace, Piney, Ginger, and Sugar to new facilities.
Ginger went to the Wolf Conservation Center in Salem, New York. Sugar traveled to Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington.
Brothers Trace and Piney will continue to live together for the next couple of years at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Florida.
Staff at the Woodlands Nature Station said transferring the wolves that they have raised from pups was emotional for them after watching them grow up at LBL, but they are excited to track their progress and hope the four will soon be able to have pups of their own.
Officials also said the pups' mom, Ember, has been doing well since her pups were transferred. Ember will receive a new companion this winter, since her famous mate Jasper passed away in September.
Jasper was 14 and a half years old. Less than 1% of male red wolves live past 14 years. He was the oldest red wolf to successfully breed and gave the Red Wolf Captive Breeding Program a boost of very important genetics. The program operates through 50 zoos and nature centers nationwide.
There are only 200 red wolves in the world, 95% in captivity. The only place to find the critically endangered wild red wolves in the wild is eastern North Carolina.
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