Maned wolves in the North American population have their own matchmaker. Nucharin Songsasen is a biologist at SCBI and Species Survival Plan coordinator. It's her job to decide which animals to breed based on their genetics, personality and health, among other traits.
Four maned wolf pups were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Dec. 23, 2017. During much of their first weeks they were nestled in a den but are now exploring more areas of their yard.