Ghost wolves: Researchers hope Galveston’s ghostly coyotes derived from extinct red wolves could restore national wolf population

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) — At first glance, these animals look like regular old coyotes, their voices howling and their eyes twinkling as they roam.

You’ll find them almost everywhere on Galveston Island, from The Strand to the Sands.

“This animal had a big, bushy tail. It was longer. It was really huge,” said April Lacson, who recently saw one. “I was glad I couldn’t go home that night.”

Josh Henderson is the supervisor for Galveston Animal Services. When he’s not trapping and rescuing other animals on the island, he studies so-called ghost wolves, named after their ghostly heritage.

“Galveston, we have to put a little imagination into everything we do, so Galveston wolves are genetically imaginative,” Henderson said. “I’ve been filing animal bite reports since 2006, and not a single animal has ever been bitten by a coyote. It’s a pretty good record. I’ve lost count of the number of dogs and cats that have bitten people.”

Researchers recently discovered that these luxurious creatures carry DNA from ancient red wolves, which the federal government declared extinct in the wild more than 45 years ago.

Now, they hope information from Galveston’s genetics can restore the nation’s wolf population.

But there is a problem.

Researchers estimate that there are between 75 and 100 ghost wolves on Galveston Island right now.

A very high number, until you consider that Henderson has tracked down 75 people who have died in car accidents in just the past five years, many of them along the seawall.

He is now asking residents to look for the animals.

Henderson advises people not to feed and pet them and not to get distracted by taking photos of them while driving.

“I promise you, the wolf doesn’t care about his social media presence,” Henderson said. “There wasn’t a single wolf I interviewed who felt terrible about his appearance on camera.”

Texas Department of Transportation officials have installed 10 “wildlife crossing” signs along Galveston’s seawall, hoping to educate residents.

Environmental project planner Brooke Bowman attended a Ghost Wolves town hall in January 2025 to learn more about the species and how to protect it as development increases on Galveston Island, TxDOT said.

Bowman and her team worked with Galveston County officials to analyze coyote mortality data along FM 3005 and, according to TxDOT, identified locations to install signs where mortality rates were highest.

Last month, TxDOT said it completed the installation of wildlife crossing signs to help ensure drivers are aware that animals like the ghost wolf are likely to cross along the Gulf Coast.

“This project represents a collaborative relationship between TxDOT, wildlife researchers and local agencies to improve driver and animal safety.” TxDOT said in a statement.

“We will meet at the end of the world,” Henderson said. “Humans are long gone. There will be a wolf staring at a cockroach. This is the end of time.”

Who wins?

He replied: “I don’t know, but my money is on the wolf.”

For more information about Galveston’s ghost wolves, visit Gulf Coast Dog Project.