The world’s most endangered wolf species defies extinction

The red wolf’s journey back from the brink of extinction reached a pivotal moment in 2025, marking the species’ most successful breeding season in decades. Wild populations that once dwindled to fewer than 30 individuals have produced record numbers of pups across North Carolina’s recovery zones.
This remarkable turnaround represents years of dedicated conservation efforts finally bearing fruit. Scientists and wildlife managers are cautiously optimistic as genetic diversity strengthens and territorial ranges expand beyond previously established boundaries.