Maned wolf

Scientific Name: Chrysocyon brachyurus Animal Type: Mammal Location: Central and eastern Brazil, north-eastern Argentina and Paraguay. Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Profile

The secretive, long-legged maned wolf actually looks more like a fox than a wolf.
Indeed, this highly distinctive South American canine is often nicknamed the stilt-legged fox. It is not in fact a ‘true’ wolf and is not closely related to any other dog species. There are as few as 1500 maned wolves left in the wild, and throughout its distribution the species’ numbers continue to decline because of habitat loss to agriculture and hunting. Indeed most of the world’s remaining wild canines are today largely restricted to wilderness areas, where they are not in direct conflict with humans.

The maned wolf is a very shy and sensitive creature, making Durrell’s success in breeding the species even more pleasing. Durrell’s captive breeding programme was initiated to ensure the survival of this threatened species, should it become extinct in the wild in the future. The maned wolf Species Survival Plan also involves the development of public awareness in areas of South America where the wolves are most persecuted.

Factsheets

• Maned Wolf factsheet (88 kb)

Video

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Other Near Threatened Animals Chestnut-backed Thrush Chilean Flamingo Goeldi's monkey Nicobar Pigeon Oriental short-clawed otter Red-fronted brown lemur Sunda Wrinkled Hornbill White-handed gibbon

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