Charlotte, North Carolina

Defenders of Wildlife staff joined communities from the Charlotte, North Carolina region on May 20 to celebrate and contribute to Red Wolf conservation in honor of Endangered Species Day. More than 50 attended the event and enjoyed live music and wildlife-inspired art. The gathering raised over $7,000 for Red Wolf coexistence programs, which is equivalent to approximately 70 non-lethal conflict management toolkits that will be distributed to community members. 

“Wolves are a keystone species and crucial players in balancing the ecosystem they live in. They have an intrinsic role and right to exist on our planet,” said Heather Clarkson, a Southeast outreach representative. “Events like this provide an opportunity for us to engage with communities within the historic range of Red Wolves. Defenders is not only advocating for the recovery of Red Wolves in the courtroom but also educating and empowering people who coexist with these species to be better stewards.” 

Attendees had the chance to examine the contents of Defenders’ Red Wolf conflict management toolkit, which includes motion sensor lights, cameras and deterrents like air horns which discourage wolves from entering private property. By minimizing conflict between humans and wolves, both the community and wildlife may coexist safely. 

Image
Several items are neatly laid on a table. The items are all tools and guides to help people minimize conflict with red wolves non-lethally.

“There are still many people who are unaware of what Red Wolves are so I was especially thrilled to discuss these amazing animals with attendees as well as curious passerbys. I hope our passion for Red Wolves will ignite interest for future events.” 

Image
Tracy Davids and Heather Clarkson stand behind a Defenders of Wildlife table under a blue tent outside.

This event was organized by a team of Red Wolf ambassadors, volunteers who work closely with the Defenders field team to engage diverse communities in Red Wolf recovery efforts across North Carolina. The ambassadors play a crucial role in reaching groups beyond the typical conservation-minded supporter base. 

Once common throughout the Southeast, Red Wolves faced extinction in the late 1970s due to intensive predator-control programs and habitat loss. As a result, biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service captured the last remaining wild individuals to initiate a never-before-tried captive breeding program. In 1987, four wild pairs were reintroduced into Alligator National Wildlife Refuge, making Red Wolves the first successfully reintroduced carnivore in the wild.  

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

Content Writer
acook@defenders.org
Regional Outreach Representative
Southeast Program Director

Related

Image
Red Wolf

News

Image
2022.06.12 - Female Caribou - Teshekpuk Lake - Alaska - Ashley Sabatino-BLM.jpg
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders applauds BLM’s move to maintain land protections in Alaska

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today released its final review and proposal to retain environmental protections on 28 million acres of habitat critical to
Image
Gray Wolf Stare
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on ‘Hatchet Job’ House Interior Appropriations Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations’ Interior and Environment Subcommittee today released its appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year. The bill is riddled with an immense number of riders that severely undermine the lifesaving protections of the Endangered Species Act. It also rolls back key advances made during the Biden administration towards addressing the biodiversity and climate crises.