For the first time since 2018, a litter of red wolves was born in nature, marking a significant milestone in wildlife conservation.

Red wolves, once common in the eastern and south-central United States, were threatened with extinction in the 1960s.

Shortly after, a captive breeding program began to save the species.

In recent years, groups of these captive wolves have been released into the wild in North Carolina. Now, for the first time in several years, a wild litter has been born in this population.

For the first time since 2018, a litter of red wolf was born in nature

At the end of April, the Red Wolf Recovery Program, a branch of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shared on Facebook that six wild Cubs were born.

Through genetic tests, biologists learned that their parents were mother 2225 and father 2323.

The message says: “This new litter is the first litter of red wolves born in nature since 2018.

For the first time since 2018, a litter of red wolf was born in nature

This pair of red wolves was formed through the combination of several management actions and the two red wolves then followed their natural instincts by pairing, establishing their territory and mating.

Each generation gives new hope to the red wolf… a cause for joy and celebration!

For the first time since 2018, a litter of red wolf was born in nature

The program shared several photos of the little puppies, both in their den and by recording their information.

This included cheek samples for genetic samples and microchip implants so that they could be tracked in the future. When the team got excited, they put the puppies back in their dens and continued on their way.