Five-Year Status Review for Red Wolf Officially Launches

Work on a five-year status review for the red wolf is underway and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking information from citizens, the
conservation and academic communities, and anyone interested in the red
wolf’s status and recovery.



“This is the first of five actions we announced last month as we move
forward with this recovery work," said Cindy Dohner, the Service’s
Southeast Regional Director. “We are clearly committed to this recovery
effort and appreciate the support, and feedback of our partners, who are
similarly committed to success.”



A 60-day information-gathering period begins on Monday, October 31.



In September, the Service reaffirmed its commitment to the red wolf’s
recovery, announcing a series of actions including this status review. The
Service spends $1.2 million annually on red wolf recovery - more than any
other recovery initiative in the Southeast Region. Funding that in large
part supports a half dozen employees that manage the non-essential
experimental population project in eastern North Carolina and the overall
red wolf recovery effort. Part of that staff now includes a Regional Red
Wolf Recovery Lead, Emily Weller, a highly experienced wildlife biologist
with a diverse career in conservation. Similarly, the Service is
maintaining leadership and capacity in eastern North Carolina.



The other steps announced last month follow:



First, the Service will move quickly to secure the captive population of
red wolves. The latest Population Viability Assessment (2016) indicates a
need to further reduce potential risks to the captive population.

Second, the Service will evaluate potential additional reintroduction sites
wild populations by October 2017. The Service will ensure these
determinations will comply with all environmental rules and include public
engagement.

Third, the Service will propose to revise the existing experimental
population rule to apply only to the Dare County Bombing Range and
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, where stable packs exist on
federal lands. This proposed action will change the scope of and goals for
the experimental population and is expected to be completed by December
2017. These proposed changes will go through appropriate environmental
review and public comment.

Finally, by October 2017 the Service working with others will complete a
comprehensive Species Status Assessment building on the foundation of work
accomplished over the past two years and past history. This will guide the
Service’s recovery planning in the future.

*Please submit information on the red wolf to: *Aaron Valenta at the
Service’s Southeast Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA
30345; fax 404–679–7081; email at aaron_valenta@fws.gov.
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