LBL's endangered red wolf pups still doing fine

The Woodlands Nature Station has provided an update on its litter of critically endangered American red wolves.

The nature station welcomed the unexpected litter of five pups, including three males and two females, on April 26. One of the male pups did not survive, but the remaining four are just over five weeks old now and are reported to be healthy.

They have been spotted sporadically in their enclosure by visitors, although the pups still prefer to hide out in their den. 

The Woodlands Nature Station is offering red wolf programs through June to give the public the best possible chance to see the pups, but a glimpse is not guarenteed.

Staff said they've noticed the pups have started developing personalities, with one of the females being particularly spunky. They described one of the male pups as an easy-going goof that always seems to end up at the bottom of the pup pile.

As they become more active, staff said Ember and Jasper, the mother and father, will begin regurgitating food for the pups as Ember slowly starts weaning them off milk.

The pups will stay with their parents at the nature station for at least 18 months. They will eventually be transferred to other captive breeding zoos and nature centers to start their own packs and to pass on their genetics.

Once prevalent across the southern United States, red wolves are now the most endangered canine globally and are only found in captivity and eastern North Carolina. 

The Woodlands Nature Station is home to the only captive breeding pair in Kentucky. The Nature Station has been involved with the Red Wolf Recovery program since 1991.