Several animal welfare advocacy groups have signed a letter to federal wildlife officials supporting efforts to restore the endangered red wolf to the wild.
The only wild population of the red wolf is in several counties in eastern North Carolina and the federal government is currently considering whether to modify or continue the program. A decision by federal officials is expected in the coming weeks.
The letter dated Tuesday to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asks federal officials to oppose recent resolutions from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
The North Carolina panel passed resolutions in January asking the federal government to end the red wolf reintroduction program in eastern North Carolina.
Eight groups signed the letter including the Animal Welfare Institute and Defenders of Wildlife.
