Rarest wolves in the world apparently abandoned

The Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced yesterday, June 30, 2015, that they will suspend reintroduction of red wolf (Canis rufus) into the wild while it gathers additional science and research. No specific information was provided about how long the management and reintroduction activities would be abandoned, despite the precariousness of the population. Historically, red wolves roamed from Pennsylvania to Florida and as far west as Texas. Currently less than 100 red wolves make up the wild populations in northeastern North Carolina, including Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. The small population of rare red wolves has been hanging on due to management and reintroduction activities. The rarest wolf in the world will no longer be managed to preserve and expand its population. Today Attorney Taura Zuardo of the Animal Welfare Institute responds in an exclusive interview. The Red Wolf is a distinct species Wikipedia Commons 1. Why do you think the USFWS would halt reintroduction when the Red Wolf is one of the most endangered animals in the world? T.Z. In this particular case, USFWS is responding to the concerns of the few in NC -- namely the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and a few very vocal landowners -- in holding back the program instead of continuing activities consistent with its adaptive management program that have been maintaining the status quo for the population. 2. Are controversies over the distinct genetic make-up of the Red Wolf valid, and are these controversies providing pressure for the FWS to abandon the recovery program? T.Z. Not really - there is a lot of established science out there indicating that red wolves are a distinct species, and USFWS has always maintained that they are distinct. Any controversy surrounding this subject is, arguably, the result of a few uninformed individuals without a scientific background questioning the species. Continue reading at http://www.examiner.com/article/rarest-wolves-the-world-apparently-abandoned