Here's why:
* Historically extinct in the wild: The Texas red wolf was declared extinct in the wild in the 1970s due to habitat loss, hunting, and hybridization with coyotes.
* Reintroduction efforts: Since the 1980s, there have been successful efforts to reintroduce the Texas red wolf into the wild in eastern Texas.
* Current population: The current wild population is estimated to be around 100-150 individuals.
* Threats to recovery: The Texas red wolf continues to face threats, including habitat loss, illegal killing, and ongoing hybridization with coyotes.
It's important to remember that while the Texas red wolf is not extinct, it is facing an extremely precarious situation and requires ongoing conservation efforts to ensure its survival.