The Woodlands Nature Station at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is mourning the loss of Ember, an 8-year-old female American Red Wolf who played an important role in conservation and education efforts.
Staff noticed changes in Ember’s health this winter and worked with veterinarians and members of the Red Wolf SAFE Program to treat a suspected autoimmune disease that affected her ability to digest food—an illness red wolves are genetically more prone to. Despite treatment, her condition declined and she was humanely euthanized. A necropsy is being conducted to better understand the cause of her illness.
Ember was one of roughly 300 red wolves remaining worldwide. During her lifetime, she contributed to the species’ recovery through the SAFE captive breeding program and by helping educate thousands of visitors…