There are fewer than 75 Maned Wolves living in North America today. The species, Chrysocyon brachyuras, only breeds in captivity now and then, and it could be on an inexorable slide toward extinction unless you intervene and make a donation now to reverse the trend. Your donation will help Pebbles, a Fossil Rim Maned Wolf, help save her species.

Help Us Save This Endangered Species

Pebbles’ Story

Pebbles was born and raised in a South America zoo, arriving at Fossil Rim in early September 2001. Because her genetic makeup is unique among Maned Wolves in North America (opposite from the genetic makeup one finds when inbreeding takes place), she represents hope for the renewed genetic vitality of this species.

On March 3, 2003, Pebbles gave birth to one male and two female offspring. She raised them well. These three animals have moved to zoos in the US to ‘spread the eggs in other baskets’ as it were!. Since then, Pebbles has had difficulty raising pups. However, given her unique genetic makeup, the conservators at Fossil Rim want to see if she can raise another litter.

How You Can Help
Due to Pebbles’ advanced age, Fossil Rim staff will need to monitor her birthing and rearing of her young on a 24X7 basis. If at any time observations show she may not be raising her pups appropriately, then monitoring will give advanced warning that intervention is necessary. Staff can then intervene and take over the rearing process.

Your Donation Makes it Possible
We’re asking you, our Fossil Rim community to step up and donate sufficiently to allow us to place a remotely controlled camera in the den before pups are born. With the camera in place, we will know when Pebbles gives birth, and, of course, we will then begin monitoring to make certain she is nursing her pups and taking care of them properly. The remote camera is crucial so as not to cause unnecessary stress from direct human observation.

Act Now to Help Pebbles!
We are reasonably sure Pebbles is already pregnant. Given the Maned Wolf’s 63-day gestation period, we expect her to give birth around 3rd week of February. As you can see, time is of the essence! If you make a donation immediately, you’ll allow Fossil Rim to purchase this much needed equipment. The total system runs around $1,900. You can donate the entire sum, or a smaller amount. Every gift will go to the propagation of a species on the verge of extinction. No gift is too small. Won’t you please give something now?

What $1,900 Buys
When donations total $1,900, Fossil Rim will purchase a long-distance wireless network receiver and a motionless infrared camera. The equipment runs silently and will be “wolf proof”. We will then be able to monitor Pebbles and her pups remotely via a web browse 24x7. Thus, the equipment will contribute to the continuance of this awesome species. After the pups are raised, we’ll put the system to other uses – like monitoring cheetahs in the same way or observation of other animals on property, and with luck in about 12-18 months, another litter from Pebbles!

Donate Now!

Every donation to this worthy cause that we receive from you, our Fossil Rim community, is valuable to us and gets us closer to our goal. Please do what you can right now. Immediately! Today! Do your part so this noble species will enjoy new vitality and avert extinction.

May the Maned Wolf never disappear from the face of the earth!