Red wolves, the world’s most endangered wolf species, have struggled to survive for more than a century. Due to hunting and habitat destruction, they were declared extinct in the wild in 1980. While a captive breeding and reintroduction program got their wild population up to a peak of around 120 in 2012, they’re now back down to between 15 and 17. We’re partnering with the Center for Biological Diversity to tackle one of red wolves’ biggest threats, and you can help.

Over the past year, five red wolves have been killed in vehicle collisions on or near North Carolina’s Highway 64. The road runs straight through the Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges, small areas where the wolves can be found in the wild. One of the deaths this year was the young mate of a female who had recently given birth to five pups. This female, known to researchers as Chance, was left to provide for them on her own, which, unfortunately, meant none survived.

Red wolves also face serious threats from hybridization with coyotes, as well as hunting, either due to being confused for coyotes or intentionally targeted. While those need be addressed, too, vehicle deaths can be tackled in a practical, proven way: By adding wildlife crossings, which can help wolves safely cross the dangerous roads running through their habitat. That’s where the group Save Red Wolves, which includes organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity, comes in.

Save Red Wolves is seeking $2 million dollars in donations, to be matched by a generous donor, to help build multiple wildlife underpasses in red wolf habitat. There would also be fencing added for extra safety. When they reach that threshold of $4 million dollars, the project will be eligible for $16 million in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for wildlife crossings, as eligible projects must get at least 20% of their funding from state or private sources.

The hope is that this lifeline will help ensure the survival of red wolves in the wild, which has been a bumpy road. After the recovery program reached its peak of around 120 individuals in 2012, those numbers began to fall, getting as low as seven in 2020. This came after reintroduction efforts tailed off, amid pushback to a ban on nighttime hunting of coyotes and on hunting coyotes without a permit in red wolf habitat.

Now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a new plan that includes ultimately having three different red wolf populations across the Southeast. In order to make that happen, and for the existing population to survive, a lot of work is needed. If you’d like to help ensure red wolves’ future, click here to donate to the wildlife crossing fund!