Historic Time Line for the Endangered Red Wolf 1791 Red wolf first described by Bartram. 1851 First publication of valid scientific name for red wolf by Audubon and Bachman. 1905 First recognition of red wolf as a distinct species by Bailey. 1937 First recognition of three subspecies of red wolf by Goldman. 1967 Red wolf listed as an endangered species under provisions of the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966.
Service begins a study of the red wolf in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.
1971 Study on the brains of canids by Atkins and Dillon confirms distinctiveness and primitive characteristics of red wolf. 1973 Endangered Species Act becomes Federal law. First red wolf recovery plan completed and implementation begins. 1978 First successful experimental release, tracking, and recapture of red wolves on Bulls Island, South Carolina, solidifies reintroduction techniques. This work retains Goldman's classification in regard to the red wolf.