Durham's Museum of Life and Science reopens red wolf exhibit with 3 new pups

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham will reopen its red wolf exhibit on Monday.

In May, the museum announced the birth of three critically endangered red wolf pups, marking a significant landmark in species conservation efforts.

According to the museum, the three young brothers continue to make big strides. They recently received their first round of parasite prevention and are starting to wander outside of the den.

The best time to see the pups is just after opening early in the morning, or later in the afternoon before closing, according to the museum.

The museum’s 7-year-old female red wolf welcomed a litter of three male pups on Saturday, May 3. 

After a thorough examination by the Museum’s Animal Care Team and veterinary staff, all three pups were determined to be in good health.

Once a thriving top predator across the southeastern United States, the Red Wolf is a classified critically endangered species, with fewer than 300 individuals under human care and in the wild combined.

According to the Museum there are 50 partner facilities, 22 of which are institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and are dedicated to protecting and increasing the American red wolf population. 

The Red Wolves housed at the Museum in Durham play a vital role in the AZA's Red Wolf Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) initiative.

“Institutions within the Red Wolf SAFE program, like ours, hold a significant responsibility especially as we face challenges with the wild population. Each pup born is crucial for the species’ survival and offers hope for the broader Red Wolf population,” said Sherry Samuels, the Senior Director of Animal Care. “This is an exciting time for the species and the Museum.”

This milestone marks the second consecutive successful red wolf breeding season at the Museum. Since receiving its first red wolf in November 1992, the Museum has witnessed a litter in 1993, 2002, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024 and 2025. 

WRAL covered the last time the Museum received a litter of pups back in 2024. 

There are many hurdles still to come, but Samuels assured that all parents and pups are healthy, and regular monitoring is scheduled over the next few weeks. 

Visitors may catch glimpses of the pups beginning mid-June, although red wolves tend to be reserved around crowds and loud noises. Museum staff will be on hand throughout the summer to assist visitors in respectfully observing the wolf family.

“This summer promises to be filled with excitement as we watch this family grow,” Samuels said. “Patience and quiet observation will be key when observing our new pups.”

Explore the Wild: Red Wolves will be closed for the foreseeable future. For more information about the Museum’s Red Wolf conservation efforts, visit lifeandscience.org.