Diego (formerly known as MJ) meet Brave! We are thrilled to welcome Brave, a 4-year-old female red wolf into the Roger Williams Park Zoo family. Born at the Henson Robinson Zoo prior to moving to the Wildlife Science Center where she spent the last couple years, Brave has been recommended by the American Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program. The goal of this SSP and all species survival plans is to build and maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population.

This pairing plays a significant role for the future of this critically endangered species. Once the southeastern United State’s apex predator, red wolf populations have declined so dramatically that it is estimated only a handful remain in the wild. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of AZAaccredited and other partner facilities across the United States, the captive red wolf population has once again risen steadily to nearly 250 wolves!

Even though breeding is a main component, Diego and Brave also serve to educate and bring awareness to the plight of their wild counterparts. Now solely native to the coast of North Carolina, the red wolf faces many threats to their survival including hunting, human encroachment on their habitats, and the loss of prey due to urbanization and overhunting.

Your Zoo is just one of many organizations acting as vocal advocates to raise public awareness of this species’ fight from extinction. As a part of our Zoo community, YOU play an important role too! Each time you visit our Zoo or any AZA-accredited institutions you are investing in research and conservation efforts to help ensure the survival and future of the red wolf and many other endangered species.

We encourage you to speak up and share the importance of animal conservation with friends and family. The more people are aware that red wolves face extinction, the more we can advocate for better protections, fund research efforts, and safeguard this species role in our ecosystem.

Together we are a voice for wildlife.

Named for their red-tinged fur, red wolves are smaller than their better-known cousins the gray wolf, and larger than the coyote. They most often hunt smaller mammals including raccoons and rabbits, but they will occasionally prey on deer. Beyond howls, red wolves communicate through scent marking, facial expressions, and body posture.