Red Wolf Issues and Concerns

What issues face red wolves?

There are many different obstacles, both human and natural, that stand in the way of red wolf recovery. From global warming to being hit by cars, red wolves face a great many challenges and dangers. Luckily, most if not all of these issues have the potential to be resolved, provided that the public learns the truth about red wolves and begins to advocate for them.

Wolf Header Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

DID YOU KNOW:

One of the largest threats to the red wolf population is hybridization with coyotes, who also inhabit the areas where red wolves live in the wild.

What are the main threats to red wolves?

Click on each title to learn more.

HYBRIDIZATION WITH COYOTES

Hybridization with coyotes is one of the most dangerous and immediate threats to red wolves. Due to the relatively limited numbers of other red wolves to potentially breed with, red wolves may sometimes breed with coyotes, producing hybrids that have a negative effect on the red wolf gene pool. To combat this, nearby coyotes are sterilized to prevent further damage to the red wolf population, and the genetic makeup of the red wolf population is monitored.

Image source: Public Domain. Please note that this is an image of a coyote and not a red wolf. The circumstances under which this picture was taken are unknown to us.

VEHICULAR HAZARDS

There are a number of public and private roads traversing the Albemarle Peninsula, where red wolves live in the wild. As such, red wolves are prone to getting hit by vehicles, a phenomenon that has accounted for a large amount of wolf mortalities despite signs and warnings. More warnings and driver education are the primary methods being used to combat this dangerous problem.

Image source: Public Domain. Please note that this image does not depict the Albemarle Peninsula and is merely a representation of a similar situation.

GUNSHOTS AND TRAPS

Due to their similar appearance to coyotes at a young age, red wolves may occasionally be mistaken for coyotes and shot. There have also been intentional gunshot mortalities of red wolves (shooting red wolves is a federal crime). Traps set for other animals can also take their toll on the red wolf population. Investigations into these mortalities and rewards for exposing perpetrators help to deter these types of crimes.

Image source: Public Domain. Please note that this (.22 hollow point) is not the correct type of ammunition that would be used on a wolf/coyote, but we were restricted in images that we could use here.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change has a particularly dangerous effect on red wolves in the Albemarle Peninsula region. Sea level rise due to the melting of ice caps contributes to floods in areas red wolves usually live in, and more violent storms can destroy their habitat and food resources. Environmentally-friendly changes in human infrastructure as well as adaptation efforts are the only ways to prevent this problem from worsening.

Image source: Public Domain

See How Sea Level Rise Could Affect the USA

HABITAT LOSS

Habitat loss due to human developments such as farms and roadways causes the red wolf population to suffer due to increased human contact and loss of resources. More human contact can lead to more mortalities. Loss of resources would mean increased competition among wolves, leading to starvation or deaths by wolf-wolf conflict. Only mindfulness about developing and conserving the area can solve this issue.

Image source (Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge from above): United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Aerial View

PUBLIC CONTROVERSIES

The public's general lack of understanding about red wolves is a significant threat to the future of red wolves. Lack of support and the occasional saboteur greatly increases the difficulty of advocating and researching red wolves. The only way this problem can be resolved is through the widespread sharing of information about red wolves, and the negation of falsehoods and rumors.

There are certain trends in opinion amongst those who support and oppose red wolf restoration and protection. These opinions and claims are listed in general terms below.

Image source: Public Domain

Trends and Beliefs of the Supporting Mindset

Red wolves are an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and must be protected and restored.
Red wolves should be able to live freely in at least a portion of their historic range. They were here before humans, and therefore they have a natural place in the environment that should not be ignored or taken away.
Red wolves help control population levels of prey species such as deer, racoons, nutria, and rodents, and thus increase biodiversity.
Red wolves provide food for scavengers, and decomposing prey carcasses can help provide nutrients for vegetation.
Red wolves present little threat to humans, livestock, and pets provided adequate precautions are taken.
Red wolves are a part of the natural heritage of the southeastern United States and should be protected as such.
Fears of environmental destruction, the extinction of another species, and loss of scientific research opportunities.

Trends and Beliefs of the Opposing Mindset

The genetic origins of the red wolf are still a subject of controversy and debate.
Red wolf habitat is limited, and red wolves may encroach upon private property where they are not wanted. To some, red wolf recovery equates to invasion of private property rights by a federal government program.
Red wolves could wipe out prey populations such as deer, thus damaging the ecosystem.
Red wolves may carry diseases that could be dangerous to humans, livestock, and pets, or cause them through predation.
Red wolves might kill domestic pets and some livestock if given the opportunity.
General aversion to the presence of wolves due to their depiction in popular culture.
Fears of government/environmental conspiracy, manipulation, and loss of personal property rights.

Please note that opinions do vary, and each individual person may hold differing beliefs even if they are generally in support or opposition of red wolf restoration.

DISEASES

There are a number of diseases that can affect red wolves in the wild. These diseases are often applicable to multiple types of canids, such as dogs, coyotes, and other wolves. While recovery may be possible when a disease or illness is noticed and treated properly, in the wild this does not always occur. Thus, red wolves occasionally end up weakened or killed by disease.

Below are listed some of the most prevalent diseases and illnesses affecting red wolves, along with their effects and treatments, if any. The name of each disease or illness can be clicked on for a more extensive description on an external website. The list is in alphabetical order.

Image Source: CC0 Creative Commons

Disease or Illness	Effects	Treatments
Canine Distemper	Nervous system damage. Can be fatal.	There is no cure, but recovery is possible. Treatment focuses on symptom management.
Canine Parvovirus	Affects heart and/or digestive systems of pups and occasional adults. Can be fatal.	There is no cure, but recovery is possible. Treatment focuses on symptom management.
Ehrlichiosis	Can cause lifelong neurological and digestive issues.	Antibiotic treatment can lead to recovery.
Gastric Dilation / Volvulus	Extreme digestive and other organ damage. Potentially fatal.	Intensive treatment and surgery.
Heartworm	Weakening of the entire body.	Medicine is administered to kill the microfilariae (heartworm offspring).
Hookworm	Digestive system damage. Potentially fatal.	Medicine is administered to kill the hookworms.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease	Digestive and immune system damage.	There is no cure. Treatment focuses on symptom management.
Lyme Disease	Difficulties with bodily functions.	Antibiotics are administered to kill the bacteria.
Neoplasia / Cancer	Development of tumors, shutdown of bodily functions. Often fatal.	Treatment depends on the type of cancer.
Pneumonia (Bacterial)	Respiratory damage and weakness.	Antibiotics are administered.
Sarcoptic Mange	Can cause hair/fur loss and irritation.	Scabicides are used to kill mites.

Information Sources (Cited in MLA format unless otherwise stated): Remember to always check your citations in a paper!

Brzeski, Kristin E., et al. “Infectious Disease and Red Wolf Conservation: Assessment of Disease Occurrence and Associated Risks.” Journal of Mammalogy, vol. 96, no. 4, 26 June 2015, pp. 751–761., doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyv080.
Seeley, Kathryn E., et al. “A Survey Of Diseases In Captive Red Wolves (Canis Rufus), 1997–2012.” Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, vol. 47, no. 1, Mar. 2016, pp. 83–90., doi:10.1638/2014-0198.1.
Non-MLA: PetMD was also referenced in the table. Even though it applies primarily to pets, in most cases the disease information also applies to red wolves.

Information on all segments except the "DISEASES" section is sourced from the Red Wolf Coalition and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Information in the "DISEASES" section is attibuted within the section.