This idea could have saved Airplane Ears' life

 

To the scientists who knew him well, the red wolf "Airplane Ears" was notable for more than just his distinctive appearance. He was also a dedicated father. Over the course of two years, he and his partner raised 11 red wolf pups, a desperately-needed addition to the critically endangered red wolf population.1 However, one day in 2023 Airplane Ears took a risk by crossing the nearby highway. His limp, dead body was found soon after. Now his pups will have to find their way in a dangerous world without their father. With fewer than 20 red wolves remaining in the wild, we can't allow any more to be killed in preventable traffic accidents.2 Donate to help protect red wolf families by promoting wildlife crossings. Red wolves are among the most endangered of all mammals. Yet we continue to allow them to be killed in traffic accidents. How many more irreplaceable red wolves will have to be horribly killed before we do something? The solution is simple. We need to give the red wolves a safer path by building wildlife crossings. These are special bridges or tunnels that allow wildlife to cross roads without risk of collision. Effective wildlife crossings have reduced animal-vehicle collisions by up to 97%.3 Had Airplane Ears had access to a crossing, his pups would likely still be able to nuzzle up to their father. We're building a movement of wolf defenders to call for solutions like wildlife crossings. Donate to help grow and strengthen our campaign for red wolves and wildlife crossings. With the help of our national allies, we've already successfully advocated for $350 million in wildlife crossing infrastructure projects across the country.4 If enough people join our movement, we know that we can make our voices heard. If the red wolf is going to survive on this planet, we have to give red wolf moms and dads the chance to see their pups grow into adults. Help prevent more families from being broken apart by donating to our movement of wolf defenders today. Donate to help save the red wolves. Thank you, The Environmental Action team 1. Ben Goldfarb, "Less than 20 red wolves remain in the wild. We had a plan to save them." Vox, March 14, 2025. 2. Ben Goldfarb, "Less than 20 red wolves remain in the wild. We had a plan to save them." Vox, March 14, 2025. 3. Steve Blackledge, "Wildlife crossings save lives," Environment America Research & Policy Center, February 19, 2025." 4. Steve Blackledge, "Wildlife crossings save lives," Environment America Research & Policy Center, February 19, 2025." Your donation will be used to stand up for wildlife and the wild places they call home, and to support all of our campaigns to protect our environment. The generosity of people just like you is what makes all of our work possible.