Poco, Red Wolf

Lincoln Park Zoo is excited to announce that 3-year-old Poco has joined 9-year-old Becca at the red wolf habitat in Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.

Poco (as shown in an image provided by Keeper Kelsey Lotz) was born at Akron Zoo on April 22, 2021, but comes to Chicago from Low Country Zoo in South Carolina, where he has lived since June 2023. He arrived in October and has been adjusting to his new situation quite well, under the watchful eyes of Animal Care staff. Keepers report that he and resident female Becca have been grooming, playing, and exploring the habitat together.

This pairing of Poco and Becca was recommended by the American Red Wolf Species Survival Plan®, a cooperative effort among Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions to assist populations in human care. They are not a breeding pair but will be companions for one another.

Red wolves are the only wolf species native solely to the United States—and they are critically endangered. In the 1970s they were considered extinct in the wild. At that time the last 14 individuals were captured from Texas and Louisiana to create a population in human care that could be eventually reintroduced to the wild. In 1987, a small group was released in North Carolina, the only state where they currently live. There, they continue to face many survival challenges.

Since 2005, Lincoln Park Zoo has been part of the Red Wolf Recovery Program. Red wolf pups born at Lincoln Park Zoo have been fostered by wild family groups and wild pups have been brought here for care in a process called “cross-fostering.” This promotes genetic diversity and supports efforts to help the wild population. Lincoln Park Zoo scientists have also conducted multiple population viability analyses; these computer models have evaluated management scenarios for red wolves and offered scientific advice to conservationists looking to help them.

If you’re at the zoo and trying to tell the difference between Poco and Becca, note that she is more solid in color. Meanwhile, he has stark white leg, neck, and cheek fur, along with vibrant coloration on his back and forehead. He also seems to be very curious. He enjoys interacting with enrichment and has been known to be out and about during ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ. Come see if you can spot him!