Salisbury Zoo announces passing of female red wolf

SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury Zoo is sad to announce the passing of their 10.5 year old female red wolf, Midnight.

Zoo officials say she was found unresponsive in her exhibit late Sunday afternoon. She was one of five pups born at the zoo in 2008, a year after the opening of a new wolf exhibit. Her siblings were transferred to other participating red wolf programs, while she remained at the Salisbury Zoo.

The red wolf is the world’s most endangered canid, with wild red wolves only found in specially protected areas of North Carolina today. As a result of over hunting and habitat loss, there are only 40 wild red wolves left in the world. There are more than 200 red wolves in breeding program facilities like the Salisbury Zoo. The life span of a red wolf in the wild is 6 to 7 years, with those held in captivity living up to twice that range.

The zoo is currently waiting on recommendations from the Red Wolf SSP program in regards to the future composition of its exhibit.