More on the “ Red Wolves.”

The red wolf has been persecuted since colonial times. There are few cases in American history where any wolf has ever been protected from hunters and trackers. Our national parks have become sanctuaries for wild animals, but wolves have not found adequate protection in them; they were considered a threat to the existence of other game animals. The trapper has pursued the red wolf with steel traps and poison bait, forgetting that he does man a service in destroying rodents and rabbits that are often detrimental to crops and that compete with domestic animals for food.
A tribute to the cunning and intelligence of the red wolf is the fact that he has retreated into areas unspoiled by man and is able to remain out of reach of the hunter. May his howl be heard in the woods and swamps and prairies for many years to come!
(From Vera Dugdales Album of North American Animals.)

More on Red Wolfs

Little has been written about the family life or habits of the red wolf, but we can assume they are probably similar to those of the gray wolf (page 16) or coyote (page 52). Four to seven pups are usually born at a time. The mother is a competent nurse, leaving the den for short periods of time to procure food left by her mate, then returning to her litter. The father hunts diligently to supply his family with food until the young are ready to leave the den several weeks later. As the pups grow and their appetites become more demanding, it requires the combined efforts of the parents to feed themselves and the young ones.
The pups are intelligent and quickly learn the rudiments of stalking and hunting by observing the adult wolves. The parents are patient with the playful offspring, continuing the schooling until they are full grown, and in many cases maintaining a social relationship even after they are fully self-supporting.
(From:Album of North American Animals, by: Vera Dugdale)


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