Good News Friday: Endangered red wolves find new home in Durham

A pair of breeding red wolves have been swapped for a wolf family living at the Museum of Life and Science. Plus, Helene relief sees infusion of state spending and new fund creates lifeline for classical music industry.

In this world of escalating divisiveness, who can argue with a little good news? 

Back in February, I reported that 2025 could be a huge year for the endangered red wolf in North Carolina. In May, we saw the exciting birth of three red wolf pups born at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. 

Oh, how fast they grow. As that family moves into a bigger living space in New York, this week we saw the arrival of two new red wolves in Durham who will take their place and hopefully reproduce. But these aren’t your average NY transplants; one of them has NC roots. 

Scroll down to learn more about that story and other good news that occurred in North Carolina this week. And for more of our “Good News Friday” series, click here. 

Endangered red wolves find new home in Durham

(Photo via Museum of Life and Science)

A family of endangered red wolves that had been living at Durham’s Museum of Life and Science (MLS) — a mother, father and three pups born in May — departed for a larger home at the Wolf Conservation Center in New York this week. 

As part of the “wolf swap,” a pair of breeding wolves that was living at the New York center arrived at MLS on Wednesday, with conservationists hoping they will play a key role in rebuilding the red wolf population. There are only 300 red wolves living in managed care across the US, plus 20-30 living in the wild in eastern North Carolina. 

The newly arrived female wolf, Caroline, marked a homecoming on Wednesday, as she was born at MLS. Pilots To The Rescue, a nonprofit known for relocating at-risk animals from under-resourced shelters to safe placement, carried out the swap.  

“Having Pilots To The Rescue join our conservation efforts to save the red wolf shows how broad the support is for America’s most endangered wolf,” said Sherry Samuels, senior director of animal care at MLS.

Opera Carolina launches philanthropic fund for classical musicians

(Photo via Opera Carolina)

On Thursday, Charlotte-based musical nonprofit Opera Carolina announced the launch of the Classical Artists Fund, a new philanthropic initiative that will provide funding to myriad causes within the opera music industry, from auditions, training, and professional development to emergency support and compensation for lost contracts. 

It’s not just singers who will benefit from the Classical Artists Fund but the full opera ecosystem: stagehands, union crews, costume and set designers, directors, choreographers, musicians, and more.

“Opera is powered by artists whose brilliance often outshines the challenges they face behind the scenes,” said Dr. Shanté Williams, general director of Opera Carolina. “The Classical Artists Fund is our promise to them — that their work, their wellbeing, and their creative futures matter. We are building a safety net worthy of their talent.”

Opera Carolina will mark the official launch of the Classical Artists Fund at Bella Notte: A New Year’s Eve Masquerade Gala, scheduled for The Ballantyne Hotel in Charlotte on New Year’s Eve. 

Governor announces infusion for Helene relief initiative

While residents in other parts of the state may have moved on from Hurricane Helene, folks living in western North Carolina still feel the effects. That’s why it matters that GROW NC (Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC) announced a new $2-million investment Thursday to help children and families recover from the storm’s devastating impacts. 

The investment will fund weekend and summer respite events for children and families in the 22 counties hit hardest by Helene, provided by Trillium Health Resources and hosted by Henry’s House at Victory Junction in Randleman. NASCAR legend Kyle Petty founded Henry’s House to offer adaptive programs for kids living with complex medical and physical needs with no cost to families. 

In the case of GROW NC, this includes mental health support to help cope with post-disaster trauma. 

“This partnership is giving children and families a reprieve from the devastation Hurricane Helene left behind,” said Gov. Josh Stein on Thursday. “Not only are children getting to make new friends, but they are also receiving mental health care to help them heal from this traumatic event.”