Red Wolf near extinction

One of the most rare animals of the United States, the Red Wolf, is very close to extinction due to poaching. According to the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service Agency, today there are less than 100 Red wolves in their wild habitat. In recent days, on the other hand, a new individual was found dead in North Carolina, bringing to nine the death toll since the beginning of the year.

The situation is so serious that the Fish and Wildlife Service and other conservation groups are promising a reward of € 20, 000 (US $ 60,000) for those who give information about this death, advances the Treehugger.

The elegant red wolf, formerly a very populous species of the American Southeast, has become near extinction due to habitat destruction and poaching. In the years 80, a very aggressive program of reintregração of wolves in their habitat and reproduction gave some hope to change the situation, but illegal hunting is over with this progress.

In the United States, killing a Wolf-red is a crime punishable by a year in prison and a fine of €73, 000 ($ 228 thousand). Some conservation groups say, however, that many of these deaths can be accidental. Since the Coyote hunting was legalized in the Red Wolf recovery, the hunters mistake the two species and shoot to kill for the Red Wolf. A situation that could easily be avoided.

Foto:  SteveNakatani / Creative Commons

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