Endangered wolf species pups born at St. Louis Zoo, marking significant milestone

These babies are paw-sitively adorable.

The St. Louis Zoo welcomed four American red wolf pups this spring — marking a significant population boost for the world’s most endangered wolf species.

A female named Otter was born April 26, followed just eight days later by triplets Molly, Finn and Obi, the Missouri zoo announced this week.

“When you consider how few red wolves remain, each birth is an achievement,” Sabarras George, Director of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, said in a statement.

“I am incredibly proud of the team who have worked for years to reach this milestone.”

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Unfortunately, the chance of seeing the adorable new babies will be just as rare as the species itself — visitors aren’t allowed so the wolves learn natural behaviors and survival skills, which generally equates to shyness and fear of humans.

The pups will stay with their parents for the next two years before officials determine whether they are fit to be released into the wild.

The pups — which are all healthy and thriving — were born as part of the first-ever breeding season at Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve, the property dedicated to bolstering the American red wolf pup population.

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The triplet’s parents, 3-year-old Ladybird and 8-year-old Wilbur, were transported to the reserve from other wildlife parks in Missouri and Florida, respectively, for the purpose of breeding.

Otter’s parents, Lava, 8, and Tyke, 9, came to the Wildlife Reserve in late 2023 from the Wolf Conservation Center in New York.

The red wolf is the only large carnivore solely native to the United States.

The species is distinguished from gray wolves through its smaller size at about 65 pounds and the reddish fur often found around its head, ears and legs.

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There are only 20 American red wolves estimated to be in the wild today.

Populations were decimated by the early 20th century due to predator control programs and loss of habitat, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Today they can only be found in the wild of North Carolina.

An additional 290 red wolves live in human care , including 17 at the St. Louis Zoo reserve.

In September, the Fish and Wildlife Service released an updated recovery plan that calls for spending nearly $328 million over the next half-century to get the red wolf off the endangered species list.

“Hunting, habitat loss and human misconceptions about wolves have all played a role in the plight of the red wolf today,” said Regina Mossotti, the zoo’s vice president of animal care.

“But every new birth offers hope for future reintroduction efforts for this vital national treasure.”

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