We set out to understand, over the coming months, how one event or series of events over a relatively short period of time can drive conflict over the edge. In this episode we introduce the red wolf, the federal evaluation that will determine the future of the only wild red wolf population in the world, and provide a brief history of this highly endangered animal from once extinct in the wild to almost 130 animals and back to 45 or fewer individuals left today. The episode sets us up to learn more about the area and the people where the red wolf was reintroduced into the wild in 1987. Music: Creative Commons 3.0, Attribution - Sweetwaveaudio https://soundcloud.com/sweetwaveaudio/free-ambient-loop

Wildlife Conflict Untangled

Wildlife Conflict Untangled, Episode 001: Introduction & Reintroduction

(Fall 2016 Evaluation & Lawsuit Updates Included. We had no substantive US FWS updates until April, 2018 - We will include these updates in new media: visit www.wildsides.org)

In this episode we meet hunters and landowners, learn about the environment and wildlife in the five-county red wolf recovery area, and briefly hear what it's like for a biologist to walk through the woods in search of a pup den in the wild. Why meet these people? Why talk about the environment and other non-red wolf wildlife? Why experience walking through the woods? It gives us a sense of the area, some of the people, the economy and the environment. This is vital for understanding how we got to this point in the conflict, why the future of the red wolf program is in question and how the red wolf population went from up to 130 wolves to fewer than 45. This episode is incredibly important because this particular conflict is unique to the red wolf recovery area in northeastern North Carolina.

You can find out more and see photos at www.wildsides.org. Check out the homepage and the Red Wolf page. 

This podcast also includes two very important updates:

The results of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluation of the red wolf recovery program.
An order issued by a judge in one of the lawsuits against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its management of the red wolf recovery program.
Music Attribution, Creative Commons 3.0 - Sweetwaveaudio https://soundcloud.com/sweetwaveaudio/free-ambient-loop

This episode was produced with the help of Gabriel Maisonnave.

Wildlife Conflict Untangled - WildSides

Wildlife Conflict Untangled, Episode 002 - Let's Go to "Red Wolf Country"!

The conflict over red wolves escalated in 2013 and 2014 based on coyotes. Why Coyotes? In this episode we begin to explore the relationship between red wolves, coyote hunting, private property and the State of North Carolina. How did the red wolf recovery program go from a divisive issue to a more heated conflict? Learn how coyotes, shootings of red wolves and coyote hunting led to a lawsuit pitting conservation groups (Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife and Animal Welfare Institute), represented by Southern Environmental Law Center, against the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 

You can find out more and see photos at www.wildsides.org. Check out the homepage and the Red Wolf page. 

Music Attribution, Creative Commons 3.0 - Sweetwaveaudio https://soundcloud.com/sweetwaveaudio/free-ambient-loop

Special Thanks to this episode's Editor and Co-Producer: Gabriel Maisonnave.