Red Wolves By Kenny G. Jan 1, 1851 Species first recorded Range was from Pennsylvania to Florida to Texas Jan 1, 1967 The red wolf is designated an endangered species due to over hunting Jan 2, 1973 US Fish and Wildlife Service rounded up the remaining 17 wolves to begin breeding in captivity Jan 1, 1977 Captive red wolf pairs produced their first litters Jan 1, 1980 Red wolves considered to be extinct in the wild Jan 1, 1987 Enough red wolves bred in captivity to begin a restoration program on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Jan 1, 1991 a 1-year experimental release of a family group was successful and concluded by recapturing the animals Jan 1, 1992 A full-scale reintroduction began with the release of two family groups Jan 1, 1994 Movement of members of one group outside the park and cattle depredation by the second group required temporary removal of these animals Apr 20, 1996 Critically endangered Jan 1, 2007 207 captive red wolves reside at 38 captive breeding facilities Mar 24, 2014 100 individual wolves in the wild Mar 24, 2014 200 Red wolves spread between 44 US captive breeding facilities