Top Photo: Carolina on the left, Jacques on the right.

Each year, usually around the middle or third week of February, I notice the red wolves exhibiting mating behavior. They may begin earlier, sniffing, nuzzling and scenting but I typically witness them actually coupling somewhere around the 14th – 17th of February.

Our new red wolf pair, Jacques and Carolina, have yet to show anything in the way of courtship or pre-copulatory behavior, but I’m sure it’s right around the corner. Indeed, that’s why they’re here at the museum. They’re part of a captive breeding program to increase their numbers and hopefully re-establish them in the wild. And this is their breeding season. So if you’re in the neighborhood, do stop by the red wolf enclosure and have a peek.

Here’s a flashback to 2018 and two red wolves named Cary (F2062) and Moose (M1803) showing you behavior to look for besides the running, chasing, and general playfulness of the courtship routine.

I’m going to be watching Carolina and Jacques for any signs of the season and will let you know what’s going on.

(Note: Carolina was born here at the museum in 2019)

Ranger Greg