The Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce that two maned wolf pups were born Dec. 21 and are growing strong according to Zoo staff.

The pups’ parents are maned wolves Gabby and Diego, two wolves living at the Zoo since 2013.  Maned wolves are known for their tall long legs and reddish-brown coats, but newborn maned wolves have a dark coat that will turn reddish-brown when full-grown. Gabby is now taking her pups out into the yard of her exhibit at the Zoo allowing visitors to catch an occasional glimpse. The pups are expected to fully be out on exhibit in the next two to three months.

The breeding of the maned wolves comes at the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Maned wolves are threatened in their natural habitats in Central and Southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Eastern Bolivia, and Northern Argentina due to deforestation. Maned wolves are even killed for body parts, due to the belief that they carry “magical properties.” This beautiful animal is at a risk of extinction, but with the help of zoo breeding programs like the SSP, maned wolves can still roam.

In 2007, the Little Rock Zoo was given praise for its maned wolf breeding program. Dr. Nucharin Songsasen, a reproductive advisor to the Maned Wolf SSP of North America, visited the Zoo to collect research from the Zoo’s breeding program, which is considered one of the most successful ones in the country.