The Maned Wolf
Few people are familiar with the maned wolf, the largest canid in South America. Unlike other wolves that live in cooperative breeding packs, the maned wolf is a solitary animal. The species once thrived and ranged throughout much of South America.
It now is extinct in Uruguay, and remaining wild populations are increasingly threatened by habitat loss to agriculture. Through a coordinated Species Survival Plan, North American zoos are developing a hedge population of maned wolves.
But there are fewer than 75 maned wolves living in North America, with the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center holding one of the largest populations.
Studies are in place to understand why maned wolves breed poorly. A priority is to use modern reproductive technologies to generate data that will reverse these breeding failures. Tools include monitoring reproductive and stress hormones and developing methods for reproductive evaluation, semen storage and eventually artificial insemination.
Simultaneously, new information is being generated by animal husbandry specialists, behaviorists and veterinarians. A partnership also is in place with the Associação Pró-Carnívoros in Brazil to develop a comprehensive, range country conservation program.
The reproductive biology of the rare maned wolf of South America is being studied by Dr. Nucharin Songsasen to gain a better understanding of why this species breeds poorly in zoos.
New information collected from zoo-maintained maned wolves will be used to begin thorough studies of wild populations by physiologists, ecologists, geographical imaging system (GIS) specialists, veterinarians and educators to address the most pressing needs in nature. Integrating knowledge is key to success.
