The Challenges of Red Wolf Conservation and the Fate of an Endangered Species Recovery Program

Abstract

Endangered red wolves (Canis rufus) receive intense conservation efforts in the United States, and to date, population recovery has been challenged by hybridization with closely related coyotes (C. latrans) and illegal human-caused mortality. Ongoing review of the red wolf program in the single recovery area in North Carolina prompted us to compare demography (survival, recruitment) and cause of death of red wolves and coyotes/hybrids. In most respects, canids had similar demographic rates, although sterilization was effective in controlling coyote reproduction. Comparison of previous (1999-2007) to contemporary (2009-2014) causes of death revealed that shooting mortality consistently accounted for ∼25% of wolf mortality. As evidenced by the lack of coyote deaths from strife with wolves, and stationary/declining wolf numbers during the last 15 years, current conditions are inadequate to establish a viable self-sustaining wolf population. Accordingly, the program review should determine whether: (1) banning coyote hunting will sufficiently benefit wolf survival or recruitment; (2) the wolf population should be considered conservation-reliant under revised recovery goals; or (3) the recovery program in North Carolina should be abandoned.