Awareness. That’s the motivation behind “Red Wolf Revival,” a documentary focusing on red wolf recovery efforts in eastern North Carolina.

Produced by Nestbox Collective, the award-winning short film is not meant to push an agenda, but rather encourage discussion, according to Executive Producer Susannah Smith.

“We wanted a film to basically show all those sides and hope that people could come around the table,” she said. “What we’ve definitely learned is that the awareness is everything.”

Smith enlisted the help of Lori Kolde Research Management LLC to host film viewings in the area to judge how viewers’ attitudes on the issue change before and after watching. One of the viewings was held at Beaufort County Community College in late June.

After red wolves were designated extinct in the wild in the 1980s, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service began red wolf recovery efforts, breeding them in captivity and reintroducing them into the wild in a five-county region in eastern N.C., including Beaufort County. Some landowners in the area, however, disapprove of the recovery efforts because they do not want the wolves on their property.

As of last July, there were 90-110 red wolves in the wild and 190 more in captivity. Since then the numbers have dwindled to approximately 50 red wolves in the wild, a decrease attributed to the state allowing night hunts for coyote, a species with a appearance similar to red wolves, as well as the USFWS granting permission to private landowners to kill red wolves on their land, according to Southern Environmental Law Center.

USFWS halted reintroductions into the wild last summer, as officials assessed whether to continue the recovery program. A final decision is expected within the next month or so, which is why Smith said holding the viewings and educating the public is important.

Smith said that while the film highlights the beauty of the red wolf, the overall goal is to present the facts to the public and let viewers draw their own conclusions. Not only that, she hopes USFWS or other conservation groups can utilize the data on viewers’ attitudes to guide their programs.

“I think that everybody that watches it would say it’s definitely pro-wolf,” she said.

“You come away saying, ‘Wow, it really is beautiful there.’”

Whether for or against the recovery efforts, Smith said she thinks having “dynamic” and educated conversations will lead to solutions.

Her passion for wildlife issues, coupled with a distinct interest in the red wolf, is what continues to drive her to share “Red Wolf Revival” with as many people as possible. Smith said some of the viewers had no knowledge of red wolves prior to watching.

“I would love to do more wildlife documentaries … or things that I see are personal and good issues for me,” she said. “We feel like there could be more awareness.”

“We feel like that’s what’s in desperate need.”

For more information, watch the film trailer at vimeo.com/ondemand/redwolfrevival or visit redwolfrevival.org.