It was recently announced that the Miller Park Zoo would help grow the Red Wolf population. 

Jay Pratte, Executive Director of the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, explains that these are some of the most endangered mammal species in the country; however, they are doing their part to try to change that. 

The introduction process is slow and thought out. Pratte says during the female's quarantine period, they could still sense each other without being able to see each other. 

The goal of the red wolf breeding program is to raise pups that can be potentially released into the wild. Pratte notes the numbers and repopulation is the most critical part. 

This decline in population is due to the encroachment of humans in their natural habitat. Pratte points to things like roads and railways that are dangerous for animals to cross. 

Pratte mentions the California condors as an example of reproduction and reintroduction programs being successful. Learn more about the Miller Park Zoo's conservation efforts at mpzs.org.