Zoo Knoxville celebrates the birth of red wolf pup

WATE 6 On Your Side Staff Published: May 10, 2016

(Photo: Zoo Knoxville)

KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Zoo Knoxville celebrated a new addition on April 30.

The organization announced the birth a red wolf pup Tuesday. The one-week-old male was born to mother Saaron and father Sunny.

It has been 23 years since a red wolf was born at the zoo. Currently, there are 200 red wolves living in zoos and breeding facilities in the country, according to Zoo Knoxville.

The species is considered one of the most endangered animals in the world. The IUCN Red LIst of Threatened Species considers the animal to be “critically endangered.” The species was considered extinct in the wild in 1980.

According to the zoo, the only wild population of the species consists of 50-75 wolves. It is located on the Albemarle Peninsula of North Carolina.The population was reintroduced into the wild in 1987.

The zoo says the red wolf is healthy. He is continuing to gain weight. Currently, he weighs 801-grams.

The organization believes it will begin to leave the den in three to four weeks.

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