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Seven endangered red wolves from Durham found new homes at a conservation center in New York this week as part of a nationwide effort to protect the threatened species.
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The move — facilitated by nonprofit Pilots To The Rescue — came as a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Red Wolf Saving Animals From Extinction program. The national collaboration between dozens of zoos and conservation centers works to sustain the genetic diversity of the endangered wolf species, The News & Observer previously reported.
In exchange for its seven red wolves — including a breeding pair and their five Carolina-named pups — Durham’s Museum of Life and Science welcomed two red wolves this week sent from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York.
“Red Wolf conservation depends on organizations coming together and making thoughtful decisions that have the greatest contribution to the program,” the museum wrote in a news release. “We’re excited to be working with Pilots to the Rescue — again — and we’re grateful to be part of a program where institutions work together toward that shared goal.”
The seven Durham wolves boarded a plane to New York on Tuesday, according to Pilots To The Rescue. That included Carolina and Jacques, the museum’s breeding pair who in May welcomed five pups named Cane, Champ, Puck, Stormy and Whaler — a nod to the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup win.
“Every Red Wolf transfer is guided by what will have the greatest benefit for the species and for the individual animals,” Sherry Samuels, senior director of animal care at the museum, wrote in a release. “For Carolina and Jacques, that means allowing them to raise another litter while providing their growing family with more room. We’re grateful to be part of a program where institutions work together toward that shared goal.”
Red wolves are a federally protected endangered species, with just one remaining wild population in Eastern North Carolina. There are about 21 known adult and subadult Red Wolves in the wild as of August, in addition to about 14 pups, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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The Museum of Life and Science showed off its two newest residents on Wednesday: red wolves Sabine and Mac Tíre.
Sabine, a 3-year-old female, has Durham in her blood. The museum said she’s the granddaughter of another wolf named Moose, who also resided at the Durham facility.
Mac Tíre — a male called Mac for short — is named after the Irish phrase meaning “wolf” and is blind in his left eye, according to the museum.
Visitors can now go see the new wolves at the Museum of Life and Science, but museum organizers are asking the public to be respectful as the new wolves adjust to their new home.
“Please keep that in mind as you stop by to give your quiet and respectful hellos!” the museum wrote on Facebook.
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This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 4:50 PM.