The NEW Zoo in Suamico, June 2, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — One of the NEW Zoo’s red wolves has died.
After caretakers last week noticed the wolf, named Jason, appeared to be showing symptoms of a head cold, a veterinary exam showed he was actually suffering from an aggressive nasal and oral cancer. Because of the history of the type of cancer in canids, the zoo decided to euthanize Jason.
Jason arrived at the zoo in 2021. He was brought from another zoo to be a mate for the zoo’s female wolf, Mayo. Although the two never produced offspring, zoo workers say the two had a close bond.
Before coming to the NEW Zoo, Jason sired many pups that became part of a wild red wolf release program in North Carolina.
Red wolves are the world’s most endangered canid, with no more than 20 in the wild and another 250 under human care.
At 12 years old, Jason outlived the red wolf’s typical life expectancy. Mayo is 15 years old.
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