Behind the scenes at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, our team is working to secure a future for a rare and elusive canine: the maned wolf.
With their long, slender legs and rust-colored coats, maned wolves are built for stealthily patrolling the grasslands and scrub forests of South America. Breeding this species under human care is notoriously challenging, which makes the arrival of newborn wolves an especially exciting milestone.
Earlier this year, our animal care teams welcomed three maned wolf pups at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), our 3,200 acre off-exhibit conservation campus in Virginia. Despite a few early challenges, all three are thriving and developing personalities of their own. What’s more, the 7-month-old pups are giving us a fascinating glimpse into maned wolf family life!
Get the latest in this update from the SCBI carnivore keeper team.