WNC nature program approves of court ruling in favor of the endangered red wolf

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A decision by a federal judge in Raleigh is good news for those who work to keep the threatened red wolf alive.

The court ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act, by allowing private landowners to kill the canine predators, even when they posed no threat.

The red wolf is virtually extinct, only about 35 still in the wild at a national refuge on the North Carolina coast.

That is why captive breeding programs like the one at the WNC Nature Center are critical.

The coyotes were out Monday, enjoying some breakthrough rays of sunshine in the woods. The gray wolves are up and on the prowl, patrolling their nature domain.

But all was quiet over at the red wolf exhibit, wooden dens sitting alongside the hill.

At first glance, there was no one home.

"She's hanging out in those boxes over there, places she feels safe and secure, and just learning about the whole everything that's going on here," WNC Nature Center assistant animal curator Savannah Trantham said of the center's newest resident.

But we finally caught a glimpse.

Karma, a 1-year-old red wolf, offered a cautious but curious glance, a rarity during her first few timid weeks at the nature center.

Karma will soon be paired with a male named Garnet as part of a nationwide captive breeding program to help reestablish red wolves in the wild.

A judge believes federal management deserves another look.

"The significance is that, hopefully, now that program can get kick-started again, and we can start to bring more wolves to that area," WNC Nature Center Director Chris Gentile said.

At the nature center, education is also key.

"By having red wolves, it gives people an opportunity to see the predator that used to live in our woods and our plains here in Western North Carolina," Gentile said.

The ultimate goal is really quite simple, one involving just the facts of life.

"We're first going to hope they get along," Trantham said with a laugh. "And then, hopefully, they're going to produce babies, they're going to produce offspring that will continue to aid in helping to recover the red wolf.

"If we could produce wolves that went to the wild, that would be the ultimate of what we're doing for the species."

Karma's mate is expected to complete his quarantine period in about a month.

The two will be introduced for the first time shortly after.