The Red Wolf:
The red wolf once populated most of the southeastern U.S. It was finally reduced to about 100 wolves along coastal Texas and Louisiana. These were intermingled by coyote genes as a result of interbreeding. The coyote was much more plentiful.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stepped in and initiated a recovery program to prevent the species' extinction. They caught the remaining wolves in the wild and captive bred for reintroduction.
Now a wild population of about 40 red wolves is being established with lots of setbacks in eastern North Carolina.
The Gray Wolf:
The gray wolf used to range over most of North America. There a few wild wolves inhabiting North Dakota, South Dakota, central Idaho, Wyoming, and northern Washington. The most significant populations include: Northern Minnesota with about 2,000; Michigan and Wisconsin with around 110; Montana with some 60-70; and Western Mexico with from 0-10.
The gray wolf as a species is made up of various subspecies. Recovery is focusing on the eastern timber wolf, the Mexican wolf, and the northern Rocky Mountain wolf.
The Mexican Wolf:
The Mexican Wolf was once native to the southwestern portion of the U.S. However, it has been extinct in that region since the mid-1900s. Now a captive population is managed by 13 private breeding facilities in conjunction with the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program of the USFWS.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
Did you know? (Bird migration facts)
Billions of birds seasonally undertake the perilous journey of migration.
It is difficult to visualize a Swainson's Hawk, weighing only about two pounds, migrating from its breeding site on the Saskatchewan prairies to wintering ground in southern Argentina.
Equally amazing is a semipalmated sandpiper, weighing only an ounce, migrating from the Canadian Tundra to northern South America.
It is hard to believe a Ruby Throated Hummingbird, weighing only 1/6 ounce, flying from its nesting area in New Hampshire to wintering grounds in Costa Rica.
Migration is not just the seasonal movement of birds during spring and fall to avoid harsh weather. This is just part of the story.
Migration evolved as a way for animals to exploit resources that are seasonally abundant and to avoid times or places where life sustaining resources are scarce.
Many species can tolerate cold temperatures if food remains plentiful. However, if it is not available, the birds must migrate. The availability of food is the driving force in the evolution of migration patterns.
To fly long distances a bird must carry plenty of fuel. Fat is the currency of migration because it provides the greatest amount of energy per unit of weight. The more fat a bird has the farther it can fly. Fat is indispensable. Without it, a migrant cannot fly or survive long periods of inclement weather.
Birds are extremely sensitive to weather and atmospheric patterns. They purposefully select times and altitudes with the best wind directions and the best wind speeds.
The majority of birds migrate at night. However, hawks make their seasonal moves during day time hunting in the late afternoons.
More birds are active during migration at night due to internal clocks, ecology, endocrinology, neurobiology, physiology and evolution according to researchers. Actually, very little is known about the intricacies of migration.
Migratory flight is a result of an infinite number of decisions. To complete it successfully, birds must make many decisions and all must be correct ones. Such decisions include: what time of day or night to fly; what speed to travel; how high to fly; which direction to fly; and where to land.
Migration continues to intrigue scientists, and they continue to study the subject finding out more each year.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
It is difficult to visualize a Swainson's Hawk, weighing only about two pounds, migrating from its breeding site on the Saskatchewan prairies to wintering ground in southern Argentina.
Equally amazing is a semipalmated sandpiper, weighing only an ounce, migrating from the Canadian Tundra to northern South America.
It is hard to believe a Ruby Throated Hummingbird, weighing only 1/6 ounce, flying from its nesting area in New Hampshire to wintering grounds in Costa Rica.
Migration is not just the seasonal movement of birds during spring and fall to avoid harsh weather. This is just part of the story.
Migration evolved as a way for animals to exploit resources that are seasonally abundant and to avoid times or places where life sustaining resources are scarce.
Many species can tolerate cold temperatures if food remains plentiful. However, if it is not available, the birds must migrate. The availability of food is the driving force in the evolution of migration patterns.
To fly long distances a bird must carry plenty of fuel. Fat is the currency of migration because it provides the greatest amount of energy per unit of weight. The more fat a bird has the farther it can fly. Fat is indispensable. Without it, a migrant cannot fly or survive long periods of inclement weather.
Birds are extremely sensitive to weather and atmospheric patterns. They purposefully select times and altitudes with the best wind directions and the best wind speeds.
The majority of birds migrate at night. However, hawks make their seasonal moves during day time hunting in the late afternoons.
More birds are active during migration at night due to internal clocks, ecology, endocrinology, neurobiology, physiology and evolution according to researchers. Actually, very little is known about the intricacies of migration.
Migratory flight is a result of an infinite number of decisions. To complete it successfully, birds must make many decisions and all must be correct ones. Such decisions include: what time of day or night to fly; what speed to travel; how high to fly; which direction to fly; and where to land.
Migration continues to intrigue scientists, and they continue to study the subject finding out more each year.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
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