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Surprise litter of rare red wolves born in LBL

Surprise litter of rare red wolves born in LBL
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
May. 17, 2022 | GOLDEN POND
By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 17, 2022 | 09:29 AM | GOLDEN POND
The Woodlands Nature Station welcomed an unexpected litter of critically endangered American red wolves on April 26.

Ember, a four-year-old first-time mother, gave birth to five pups, including three males and two females. Unfortunately, one male did not survive. The remaining four pups, nicknamed the "Fantastic Four," are healthy and growing quickly.

Jasper, a 75-pound male, has defied odds as he was considered too old to breed at 13-years-old. News of the litter is a big deal, as Jasper's genes are considered the seventh most valuable of all male red wolves alive.

The pups will remain inside their den and will not be viewable by the public for at least their first six weeks.

The Woodlands Nature Station will offer red wolf programs in June to give the public the best possible opportunity to see them. However, a glimpse of the pups is not guaranteed.

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.
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