October 3, 2022

DURHAM, NC – Eno and Ellerbe, two red wolves born at the Museum of Life and Science in 2018, will be moving to the Red Wolf Center in Columbia, NC, this month. Two other red wolves are planned to move to the Museum within a month after their departure.

As part of a nationwide program of zoos and nature centers working to rebuild the populations of the critically endangered species, the Museum works with other facilities to maximize the chances of wolves in captivity reproducing. Sometimes that means that wolves born at the Museum move elsewhere to improve the overall health and well-being of the red wolf species.

“It’s time for the boys to move on to their next home,” said Sherry Samuels, Director of Animal Care. “All the red wolves in the recovery program are temporary residents at whatever zoo, museum, nature center, or facility in which they reside. Since April 20, 2018, I knew we would be saying goodbye at some point.”

Red wolves were once common in North Carolina, but fewer than 300 individuals now survive worldwide. Since 1992, the Museum has been home to almost 50 red wolves. Twenty-three red wolf pups — including Eno and Ellerbe – have been born here. Each pup adds to the genetic diversity of the species.

“For some, it’s hard to think of these red wolves as just passing through the Museum,” Samuels said. “I try to think of each wolf as a gift to those fortunate enough to see and meet it.”

The Museum expects to welcome two wolves from other facilities later this fall, shortly after Eno and Ellerbe’s departure. The Museum will release details on those wolves later.

For more: Sherry Samuels’ blog post on Eno and Ellerbe’s departure

About the Museum of Life and Science

Located less than five miles from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Our 84-acre campus includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast, and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits. Our interactive experiences include Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek Railway, Hideaway Woods, Into the Mist, Earth Moves, and Aerospace, which features one of the largest collections of Apollo-era NASA artifacts in the state. The Museum is also an AZA-accredited zoo, home to rescued black bears, lemurs, endangered red wolves, and more than 60 species of live animals. This year, the Museum celebrates its 75th anniversary and its ongoing commitment to the communities of Durham, the Triangle, and North Carolina. To learn more, visit lifeandscience.org.

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