Fossil Rim - Press Release

July 1, 2004 - Fossil Rim confirmed the birth of three maned wolf pups on March 3 of this year. This litter is significant because there were only 9 recommended pairings made from the Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan for the 2003/2004 year. As of today four litters have been born and three, including Fossil Rim’s, have survived. There are currently 92 maned wolves in North American zoos. “Pedrita” or “Pebbles”, the dam, was born in Brazil and her pups introduce a significant new genetic line to the North American captive maned wolf population. “Pebbles” and the sire, “Einstein”,who is on loan to Fossil Rim from the San Antonio Zoo, are both first time parents. Little is known about maned wolves in the wild but shared parental duties has been observed. Pebbles and Einstein have proven to be excellent parents At sixteen weeks the pups, two females and one male, weigh 14 lbs. and spend their time learning survival strategies as well as play behavior from Pebbles and Einstein.

An integral piece of the maned wolf breeding program at Fossil Rim is to interfere as little as possible in the natural processes that unfold. The slightest change in routine or environment can have disastrous results and the maned wolf enclosure has been off limits to visitors since the birth. .Daily feeding and necessary medical procedures such as vaccinations have been staff’s only interaction with the new pups. As they get older, the pups can be introduced to a more varied environment and the area will again be available to visitors.

Fossil Rim is home to three adult maned wolves in addition to the new pups. This species can normally be viewed on the Behind the Scenes Tours.

Maned wolf facts:
• The maned wolf is native to Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
• Although termed a wolf, this animal is in its own genus, more closely resembling a large red fox. True wolves are strictly carnivores but the maned wolf is omnivorous, eating a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, insects, rodents, birds, bird eggs and grasses.
• The name “maned” comes from the long black mantle of hair over the shoulders.
• The maned wolf is considered endangered by the United States Department of the Interior and participates in a Species Survival Plan under the auspices of the American Zoological and Aquarium Society who supervises breeding and record keeping for the captive population.

BACKGROUND: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a 1,650 acre not-for-profit
501(c)3 facility that specializes in captive breeding
programs for endangered and threatened species of animals. It is one of the few private facilities that meet the strict standards set for accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is an important player in global efforts to save endangered species. The Center cooperates in international species survival plans (SSPs) for 14 endangered or threatened species protected by global species survival plan. Fossil Rim’s research in species propagation is advancing the science of wildlife conservation dramatically and fine-tuning a model of what wildlife preserves will look like in the future. For more information, call 254-897-2960 or visit www.fossilrim.org.