Park in western Bahia celebrates the birth of two maned wolf cubs

A couple of maned wolves gave birth to two cubs of the species on Wednesday (14), at Parque Vida Cerrado, in western Bahia. The birth of the sisters Tangerina and Bergamota is an important part of the conservation work for the endangered species.

This is the sixth birth of the species in the park, the only socio-environmental education center in the region, which also has seven other adult wolves.

The place has been home to a conservationist breeding center and a center of excellence in restoration of the Cerrado biome for 16 years. The park developed an unprecedented protocol for the rehabilitation of maned wolves in an agricultural area, carried out under the supervision of ICMBio, and in partnership with the NGO Jaguaracambé, Projeto Sou amigo do Lobo and Projeto Ritmos da Vida.

The parents, Elke and Vitor, 7 and 11 year old wolves, were paired during the month of February, when they got to know each other better. “Vitor was the first maned wolf born in the Park, and Elke was an orphan rescued in 2016. We had the opportunity to see the paternal and protective instinct that they have shown”, said Rafaela Azzolin, biologist responsible for the site.

Elke’s pregnancy was considered successful both for the health of the mother and the puppies after birth. For that to happen, the park staff has to deal with some challenges.

“You have to start with the pairing process between the wolves, which is only possible during the reproductive period, which happens only once a year, for a few months. Once copulation (sexual intercourse) has taken place, follow-up is necessary, as the first pregnancy is usually considered at risk. After the calf is born, it is necessary to check the adaptation of the mother, who may find it difficult to breastfeed or connect with the litter”, explained Rafaela.

So far, 20 maned wolves have passed through Parque Vida Cerrado, founded and maintained by Galvani Fertilizantes, and which today has 24 animals of eight different species, five of which are threatened with extinction.

Five maned wolves have already been released in total, and three are still being monitored by both the participating institutes and Parque Vida Cerrado. The project analyzes and proposes actions for reception, training, release or translocation and monitoring of post-release animals.

After completing seven months, the age of separation from the parents, Tangerine and Bergamot will be registered and specialists will be able to recommend the fate of the animals.

“A pregnancy like this is very important for the conservation of the species, and based on the protocol developed we can reduce the threat that wolves have been suffering over the years”, added Rafaela.

*Posted by Fernanda Pinotti