The Great Wolf Rescue: Saving the Red Wolves

Gr 3-7–Markle’s latest offers fascinating insight into conservation efforts made to save the red wolf. Found only in North America, red wolves once roamed nearly half of the country, but by the 1960s their numbers were quickly dwindling. In 1973, the red wolf was declared endangered and added to the Endangered Species Act. Since that time, groups working in the United States decided to capture the few that remained and keep them in captivity with hopes of breeding them and eventually releasing them back into the wild. Their efforts proved to be moderately successful, however issues with the wolves staying in their designated territory, as well as breeding with coyotes, proved challenging. Eventually, a fostering program was developed that allowed captive-bred red wolf puppies to be transplanted to a red wolf mother’s new litter in the wild. Color photographs with captions and additional details are found on every page. Eye-appealing greens and oranges infuse the book with a natural feel. Readers will find this title useful for learning about red wolves’ diet, habitat, appearance, and life cycle, as well as how people were able to work together to save these precious animals.