Six of the ‘world's most endangered' wolves are born at TN zoo. See them snuggle
Six of the 'world's most endangered' wolves were born in Tennessee, bringing renewed hope for their species.
An adorable video posted on Facebook shows the red wolf pups snuggling after making their debut at Zoo Knoxville.
'There are only about 20 red wolves known to remain in the wild, and fewer than 300 in managed care,' Terry Cannon, curator of carnivores and Kids Cove at the zoo, said in a May 8 news release. 'Every birth is critical. These pups are part of the future of the species.'
The little ones were born to mom Cirilla and dad Buckeye. The two were paired together to try to 'ensure genetic diversity among the small population of red wolves remaining,' according to the wildlife park.
Red wolves, which can grow to be about 80 pounds, have been called the most endangered wolf species on Earth. They once lived across parts of the southern and eastern United States but nearly disappeared at one point, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
'After being declared extinct in the wild in the 1980s due to habitat loss and hunting, they were reintroduced in limited numbers in North Carolina,' the zoo wrote. 'Despite decades of conservation efforts, red wolves remain critically endangered, facing ongoing threats and confusion with coyotes in the wild.'
As part of the zoo's effort to protect the rare species, it welcomed its litter of pups on Earth Day, April 22. The video shared on social media showed the newborns getting their medical checkups, and some Facebook users said they couldn't get enough of the cuteness.
'The pups were closely monitored during their first week to ensure healthy development and weight gain, but now the animal care team is stepping back to let the parents raise them,' the zoo wrote. 'Cirilla, who had one previous litter before coming to Zoo Knoxville, has shown strong maternal instincts.'
As of May 8, zoo visitors aren't yet able to see the babies in person.
'They're currently living in the wolf dens under the care of both mom and dad,' JJ Jones, media manager for the zoo, told McClatchy News via email. 'They're still quite small and have just started to open their eyes, so they're not visible to the public at this time. We have six pups in total — three boys and three girls. They have not been named yet, and it's still too early to share any insight into their individual personalities.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Goofy dog kept returning to shelter for being ‘too playful.' Then came good news
A goofy dog kept returning to a North Carolina shelter for being 'too playful' — then came good news. The 1-year-old pup, known for his love of splashing in the pool, has now been adopted into a new home. 'We are hopeful that this time's the one for him,' Samantha Ranlet, a spokesperson for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Wake County, told McClatchy News in a June 20 email. 'They've renamed him Nova.' The dog — originally named DJ — first landed at the SPCA after he was transferred from another facility. Although the Raleigh-area shelter doesn't know much about his background, he was anxious upon arrival. 'We've discovered that he's much happier on a medication called Trazodone,' the shelter wrote in a Facebook post. 'These meds help him go from a frightened fella that hunches and startles at the sound of a door opening to a lively, playful pup.' DJ was adopted twice, but the situations didn't work out. Both times, his playful nature was too much for the other animals in his homes. 'He wants to be friends sooooo badly, but unfortunately his high energy, goofy antics, and in-your-face play style haven't meshed well with calmer companions,' the SPCA wrote after his latest return on June 17. 'He's a spirited dork which isn't the right fit for everyone, we get it! Now he's back here with us and we are on a mission — to find him a forever home and a dork-tastic animal friend who can keep up with his little-legged zoomies!' At the shelter, DJ became known as a mixed-breed dog who enjoys snuggling. He also has a more 'fun-loving' side that shows up when he's outdoors, according to an online adoption profile and a video shared on Facebook. 'He's the type of dog that's always smiling with his tongue hanging out,' Ranlet wrote. 'He's friends with everybody, and he's the first to greet new people and soak up some attention. He absolutely loves water. Our staff takes him out for play time in the kiddie pool, and he loses his mind — gator rolling, jumping and splashing around, with just the biggest smile on his face.' Then, two days after DJ came back to the shelter, he was adopted for a third time. McClatchy News has asked for more details about the latest adoption and is awaiting a response.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Miami Herald
Dairy Queen brings back fan-favorite Blizzard for a limited time. Here's when
A beloved Dairy Queen Blizzard treat is returning to menus in time for summer. Fans can get their first spoonfuls of the Oreo Dirt Pie Blizzard starting Friday, June 20, according to the Minnesota-based restaurant chain. The hand-spun treat is a digital exclusive, available to order online and on the DQ mobile app for a limited time. 'This playful summer classic features Oreo cookie pieces, gummy worms, and fudgy crumble blended with our world-famous vanilla soft serve,' Dairy Queen said in a June 16 news release. Pricing information wasn't immediately available. The treat will briefly join Dairy Queen's join summer Blizzard menu, which includes: S'mores Blizzard treatConfetti Cake Blizzard treatMixing Bowl Mashup Blizzard treat The Oreo Dirt Pie Blizzard will be available for a limited time, though the restaurant didn't say for how long. McClatchy News reached out to Dairy Queen for more information June 18 and was awaiting a response. Find your nearest Dairy Queen here.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Miami Herald
Gambler bets $5 on slot machine — then hits big jackpot at California casino
A gambler walked away from a Northern California casino with a big jackpot prize. The lucky visitor from Marysville went to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento, the casino said in a June 13 Facebook post. Then the player sat a Dragon Link slot machine and bet $5. The gambler hit spin and watched as the symbols flashed across the screen until a jackpot message appeared. 'After many attempts, the Dragon Link Grand Jackpot finally hit for $189,808!!' the casino said in the post. Social media users congratulated the winner on Facebook. 'I heard a lot of commotion in the high limit room and walked in to see his hit!!' one person commented. 'Congratulations! 'Walking on Sunshine.' So happy for you!' another person wrote. 'Wowza!' another person said. That wasn't the only big win at the casino recently. A Blackjack player from Sacramento won the $120,754.85 jackpot on June 15, the casino told McClatchy News by email. The casino is in Wheatland, which is about a 40-mile drive north from Sacramento.
