A 1-year experimental release of a family group in 1991 was successful and concluded by recapturing the animals. A full-scale reintroduction then began with the release of two family groups in 1992. Movement of members of one group outside the park and cattle depredation by the second group required temporary removal of these animals in 1994. The cattle depredations were largely a result of inadequate cattle husbandry practices and damage to fencing from flooding. The cattle operation is being evaluated for needed changes and another family group of wolves has been released in an adjacent area.
Biologists continue to monitor the two reintroduced populations of red wolves.
The Fish and Wildlife Service also is working with the U.S. Forest Service to evaluate National Forest lands in the Southern Appalachians and elsewhere what may be suitable as future reintroduction sites. There are now more than 300 red wolves, including 238 in captivity and the rest in the wild - quite a comeback from the 14 animals making up the original captive breeding population. There are currently 34 facilities nationwide where red wolves are breed in captivity. In June the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center hosted the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan Educational Workshop. The meeting was held in order to discuss new and more effective ways to educate people about red wolves and their place in the ecosystem.