Miller Park Zoo is expanding the population of the critically endangered red wolf species following the birth of four red wolf pups on May 12. Red wolves are the most endangered wolf species and have been battling extinction since 1967.
Mary Pegg, Animal Care Manager at Miller Park Zoo, said about 25 red wolves remain in the wild. The birth of four pups could be significant for the species overall population across the country.
“It’s a huge accomplishment that we get to contribute to this rare species’ population growth, especially for a zoo of our size," Pegg said in a press release.
Staff at the zoo are caring for the family in a hands-off manner, which allows the animals to simulate natural living conditions and behaviors. The pups are in a den selected by their parents Magnolia, 7 and Max, 8, in their habitat at Miller Park.
Miller Park Zoo plans to keep the pups with their parents until they are at least 16- to 17-months-old. Following that time period, it is natural for wolf pups to become independent.
The pups may be sent to an institution for the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program once they are of age, in hopes to increase the population of red wolves.
In other zoo related news, Miller Park Zoo will close at noon on Saturday for the annual Brews at the Zoo event set for that evening. Concessions will be closed in the morning, but the Putting Zoo Mini Golf's hours will remain the same.
The event marks the penultimate day before the zoo's new director Paul Bouseman starts on June 15.
