Red Wolf Recovery Program (RWRP)
The Red Wolf Recovery Program (abbreviated RWRP) is a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administered program dedicated to the management of red wolf populations. It works in tandem with the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan to ensure the longevity and security of red wolf populations in the wild and in captivity.
You can learn more about the Red Wolf Recovery Program here on the USFWS's program website.
Wolf Header Photo: United States Fish and WIldlife Service
You can learn more about the Red Wolf Recovery Program here on the USFWS's program website.
Wolf Header Photo: United States Fish and WIldlife Service
DID YOU KNOW:
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The Red Wolf Recovery Program was initiated in 1973 with the introduction of the Endangered Species Act.
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What does the RWRP do?
There are many areas that both the Red Wolf Recovery Program and the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan cover simultaneously. Below are some of the things that are key to the Red Wolf Recovery Program.
Biological Research
Red Wolf Recovery Program biologists and volunteers carry out numerous research and management related tasks each and every day in areas of red wolf recovery. These tasks include tracking wolves, monitoring population distribution, caring for individual wolves who may have become sick or injured, and collecting genetic samples to analyze the condition of wild red wolves.
Image source: United States Fish and Wildlife Service Overseeing the RWSSP
The USFWS works closely with Red Wolf Species Survival Plan participant facilities to ensure the proper maintenance of the captive red wolf population. When the release of red wolves into the wild is authorized, the Service oversees the release of red wolves and monitors red wolf interactions in the wild. The RWRP is also a part of public education efforts to improve the reputation of the red wolf.
Image source: United States Fish and Wildlife Service |
Overseeing Recovery Areas
The majority of "boots on the ground" RWRP activities take place in red wolf recovery areas such as the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. RWRP biologists monitor the distribution of red wolves in and around these areas as well as the state of the population. The infrastructure of wildlife refuges is overseen by the USFWS.
Image source: United States Fish and Wildlife Service General Administration
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees the activities of the Red Wolf Recovery Program, determining what steps are suitable for red wolf conservation efforts. The Service often conducts internal reviews of the Red Wolf Recovery Program to monitor the condition of the red wolf population and its need for continued conservation efforts.
Image source: Screenshot of Federal Register document of proposed rules for red wolf recovery; USFWS |
Information sourced from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
