Sam Fried Sam FriedSam Fried has seen and photographed almost all North American birds. Meet Sam Previous Answers

Prior to the arrival of European settlers, the red wolf ranged throughout the southeastern United States, living in family packs of 6-10 individuals and preying upon raccoon, white-tailed deer, and other small mammals. Colonization drove the red wolf to the very brink of extinction. Only a handful of wolves manged to survive in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas.

Beginning in 1974, US Fish and Wildlife Service biologists began capturing these survivors for a captive breeding program. Most all of these remaining red wolves had cross-bred with feral dogs and coyotes. Using bone measurements and DNA testing, biologists found just 14 animals that bore enough resemblance to the original species. These individuals entered a zoo in Tacoma, Washington, where they bred successfully; soon other zoos were taking in offspring for breeding as well, and by 1987 it was determined there were enough wolves to begin a reintroduction program.

The first reintroduction site was Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. The wolves have done very well here, and reintroductions have since occurred in areas of South Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida. While still extremely rare — and very shy by nature — the red wolf is slowly increasing its numbers.

Trying to spot a glimpse of this animal in the deep, tangled swamps and forests it calls home is close to impossible. But there's something even better. At Alligator River NWR, biologists lead regularly-scheduled"howling" programs. Visitors caravan into the middle of the refuge, to a place where the biologist begins to howl. Soon after, visitors join in. During the past two years, incredibly, refuge wolves have howled back in response every time but twice.