A wolf sanctuary in upstate New York got some exciting news this week when two moms gave birth to ten very special babies.

The newborn babies are incredibly rare red wolf pups, and their mothers are Charlotte (red wolf F2121) and Veronica (red wolf F1858). The birth of these babies, who were brought into the world at the Wolf Conservation Center, is huge news for this species, as red wolves have nearly been completely wiped out.

The red wolves were declared “functionally extinct” in 1980, and by 2014, there were just 130 of them left in the wild. Now, it is believed that there are less than 30 of them left.

Humans are blamed for decreasing red wolf population because of hunting and habitat loss. After spending years trying to save red wolves, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just announced that they are scaling back their efforts to protect the species.

“Because of USFWS’s own actions/inactions, the program struggles today,” said Maggie Howell, executive director of the WCC. “After 2014, the USFWS stopped reintroducing captive-born red wolves into the reintroduced population, ceased implementing the Red Wolf Adapted Management Plan that limited hybridization via management of coyotes, and removed wolves from private lands and issued take permits (kill permits) to landowners.”

“While these adorable pups are priceless contributions to the recovery of their rare species (especially the genetic health of the captive population), USFWS needs to recommit to preserving the wild and naturally functioning red wolf population it has established,” Howell added.

“Beyond being cute, the pocket-sized wolf pups represent our active participation in an effort to save a species on the brink of extinction,” Howell continued. “It’s our goal to use moments like these to further educate the public on the importance of protecting these wonderful animals.”

It is unknown what will happen to this species going forward, but the birth of these ten pups certainly gives people hope that the red wolves can be saved. SHARE this story so we can help raise awareness about this!