September 9, 2024

By now, you’ve likely heard our bittersweet news — Oak (F2304), Adeyha (M2080), and their five pups will be moving on to the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY, this October.

We’ve always known the family’s future is dependent upon expert recommendations made at the annual American Red Wolf SAFE meeting held earlier this summer. It has been determined that Oak and Adeyha are still a genetically valuable pair and are expected to breed again in 2025, which is incredible news for the Red Wolf population, but puts strain on our habitat in Explore the Wild: Red Wolves. Seven wolves are not the most we’ve had in the yard (that would be a whopping 10 wolves), but it is about three wolves too many, especially as the pups continue to grow.

“This is the best plan for our current family of Red Wolves,” Senior Director of Animal Care Sherry Samuels said. “While bittersweet to see them move on, there is excitement that the family will remain together. The habitat at Wolf Conservation Center is three times their current environment, and this will allow the family to continue to grow next year.”

As we say goodbye to our seven wolves, the Museum of Life and Science will be receiving Martha (F2242) and Oka (M2048), a mated pair who produced this year. While sadly no pups survived, the pair’s successful breeding is a very positive sign for future efforts.

Additionally, Martha has familial ties to the Museum. In 2017, the Museum of Life and Science transferred adults M1784 and F1858, and their four pups, to the Wolf Conservation Center where they produced another litter in 2018 — Martha and her siblings!

With some time before Oak, Adeyha, Juniper, Cedar, Sassafras, Maple, and Tupelo make their way to their new home in New York, we encourage visitors to spend time with our pack. Explore the Wild: Red Wolves is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

“This relocation is a key part of our efforts to help ensure the survival of this critically endangered species,” Samuels said. “We’re excited to continue our conservation work with Oka and Martha.”

The Museum continues to be a leader in Red Wolf conservation through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Red Wolf Recovery Program and the AZA’s SAFE initiative. This relocation will further contribute to nationwide conservation endeavors.

For more information on the 2024 litter and their parents, please check out all our Pupdates in the blog.