By 1987, enough animals had been bred to begin a reintroduction program. Thanks to these programs, there are currently 50 to 80 red wolves in the wild. It is estimated that red wolves live four years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity. Historically, red wolves ranged throughout the southeastern United States from Pennsylvania to Florida and as far west as Texas. Today, only a few wolves roam the Alligator River Refuge and nearby Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina.
Red wolves prefer to live in forests, swamps and coastal prairies.
Dens are often located in hollow trees, stream banks and sand knolls. The red wolf's diet consists primarily of small mammals such as rabbits and rodents but also includes insects, berries and occasionally deer. Shy and secretive, red wolves hunt alone or in small family packs. Red wolves tend to form pair-bonds for life. They breed once a year in the early spring.