Why is the red wolf extinct?

The red wolf (Canis rufus) is not extinct, but is critically endangered. The red wolf is a canine native to the southeastern United States. It is a medium-sized canine, with a reddish-brown coat and a white belly. Red wolves are social animals that live in packs. They are predators and their diet consists mainly of deer, rabbits, and rodents.

The red wolf was once widespread throughout the southeastern United States, but its population declined dramatically due to habitat loss, hunting, and persecution. By the 1970s, the red wolf was thought to be extinct. However, a small population of red wolves was discovered in North Carolina in 1980. This population was used to start a captive breeding program, and red wolves have since been reintroduced to several areas in the southeastern United States.

The red wolf is still critically endangered, but its population is slowly increasing. The main threats to the red wolf are habitat loss and hybridization with coyotes. The red wolf is also vulnerable to disease and parasites.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect the red wolf and its habitat. The goal is to increase the red wolf population and to establish new populations in the southeastern United States.