4 of the World’s Most Endangered Wolf Pups Born at the St. Louis Zoo: 'Each Birth Is an Achievement'
The pups were "healthy and thriving" following their first checkups in late June, the zoo said
Photo courtesy of Sara Burran
An endangered wolf pup born in 2024The St. Louis Zoo has expanded its animal family by four!
Earlier this year, four American red wolf pups were born at the destination's Sears Lehmann Jr. Wildlife Reserve, the zoo’s property in Franklin County that is "dedicated to conserving the most endangered wolf species in the world," per a press release.
A female pup named Otter was born April 26 to parents Lava and Tyke. Three others — Molly, a female, and Finn and Obi, both males — were born May 4 to first-time parents Ladybird and Wilber.
All four pups were "healthy and thriving" following their first checkups in late June, the zoo said.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Photo courtesy of Sara Burran
An endangered wolf pup born in 2024Related: St. Louis Zoo Finds Missing Pet Cat Near Antelope Exhibit and Reunites Feline with Her Owner
They will remain with their parents for at least two years, according to the zoo. They may, however, be sent to other Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Program institutions to start their own packs, and there is also a chance they could be "selected for release into the wild in a location designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," the release added.
In a statement, Sabarras George, the director of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, said, "When you consider how few red wolves remain, each birth is an achievement."
“I am incredibly proud of the team who have worked for years to reach this milestone," George, who oversees the Wildlife Reserve, added.
According to the press release, there are only around 20 red wolves remaining in the wild.
The species is now solely found in the wild in North Carolina, while an additional 290 red wolves live in human care as of May 2024.
The Wildlife Reserve is not open to visitors at the Missouri-based attraction in an effort to give the red wolves privacy, "allowing them to maintain natural behaviors and survival skills with limited human interaction," the zoo said.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
