Dear Friends,

It is with deep sorrow that we share news about a beloved patriarch. Red wolf Jack passed away last night. He was fourteen and a half years old and his alphanumeric name was M1606, but Jack was more than just a series of numbers. He was a mate, a father, a protector, and a charismatic representative for his critically endangered species.

Jack joined the Wolf Conservation Center family in 2017 when Pilots to the Rescue flew Jack from his former home at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sandy Ridge facility in North Carolina to his new home in New York. Arguably one of the most spirited wolves we’ve known, he soon blazed into our homes and hearts via webcam, opening the door to understanding the importance of his endangered kin and our efforts to recover them.

Soon after arriving at the WCC, Jack was introduced to red wolf Charlotte and the love-struck duo welcomed four pups in the spring of 2018 – Ben, Deven, Maple, and Marley. After growing to know Jack as an energetic, inquisitive wolf, we were privileged to witness Jack the father – a nurturing, patient (and still playful!) dad to his young family.

Jack’s personality was simply too big for words alone to express but the WCC’s livestreaming cameras allowed us to witness glimpses of the unique and headstrong wolf that created a dynasty. As a tribute to Jack, please enjoy just a few highlights of his beautiful character.

Jack’s greatest accomplishment in life, as many parents can attest, was raising wonderful children who were able to experience a life he never could. In the spring of 2021, Jack’s son Deven was chosen for release into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. It’s a life all captive red wolves should have – the chance to roam vast expanses of wilderness with nary a fence in sight – but a life so few actually know. Deven was given this chance because he was elusive, cautious, and wary; all qualities his parents instilled in his formative years. Thank you, Jack, for creating a better future for your children.

As we bid farewell to Jack, we think of his family and all of you, his biggest supporters, and we know he’s not truly gone. His captivating spirit lives on in all those who loved Jack, and we will continue the fight to safeguard the wild legacy he leaves behind.

RIP, Jack. We miss you already.

Maggie Howell
WCC Executive Director