DURHAM — There are fewer than 300 red wolves left in the world.

The Museum of Life and Sciences in Durham is breathing new life into the dying breed.

Six new pups were born there Wednesday morning, three boys and three girls.

The pups are expected to open their eyes in 10-14 days. They may begin to wander from the den in four weeks, and will spend start to spend time outside the den in about six weeks.

The public should not expect to see much of them before late May, if then, depending on the nature of the typically shy animals.

This is the second time in 10 years that successful breeding of red wolves has occurred at the Museum of Life and Science.

More than two-thirds of red wolves live in captivity at zoos, nature centers and museums.

The Museum received its first red wolf in November 1992, followed by a litter of pups in May 1993.

Although declared extinct in the wild, there were enough captive animals by 1987 to begin a reintroduction program called Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (RWSSP).

Today, 31 facilities participate in the nationwide program, including the N.C. Zoo.