The Tacoma-based Point Defiance Zoo is conducting dental exams and teeth-cleaning in its managed care program. The fittingly named vet is helping bolster a population of only 270 red wolves known to exist, mostly in managed care or zoos. The animals in managed care tend to live longer than free-ranging red wolves, in part because they have annual exams and dental hygiene. The rare red wolves once ranged from New York to Texas, but by the late 1960s to 1970s a once thriving population was decimated. Three of those released came from the Point Defiance Zoo program, including a pup born April 13.

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Persons: Karen Wolf, Wolf, Natalie Davis, Matt McKnight, Daniel Trotta, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S, Fish & Wildlife Service, Association of Zoos, Aquariums, Defiance, Thomson Locations: Washington, United States, Tacoma, Defiance, North Carolina, Seattle, New York, Texas, U.S