Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

Status: Near Threatened

Listed as Near Threatened as the current global population is estimated to number ~13,000 mature individuals, and is thought likely to experience a continuing decline nearing 10% over the coming decade largely as a result of ongoing habitat loss and degradation, road kills and other threats (see Paula et al. 2008). Almost qualifies as threatened under criterion C.

A population and habitat viability assessment workshop held in 2005 estimated the total population of Maned Wolves at ~23,600 animals, including 21,746 in Brazil, 880 in Argentina, and 660 in Argentina (Paula et al. 2008). Numbers in Bolivia are unlikely to exceed 1000 animals. With their primarily solitary habits and large home ranges, Maned Wolves are found in low densities throughout the range.

Population trend: Unknown

(Click on map for more detail)

Habitat and Ecology: Maned Wolves favour tall grasslands, shrub habitats, woodland with an open canopy (cerrado), and wet fields (which may be seasonally flooded). Some evidence indicates that they may prefer areas with low to medium shrub density (Bestelmeyer 2000). Maned Wolves are also seen in lands under cultivation for agriculture and pasture. Daytime resting areas include gallery forests (Dietz 1984), cerrado and marshy areas near rivers (Bestelmeyer 2000; F. Rodrigues unpubl.). There is some evidence that they can utilize cultivated land for hunting and resting (A. Jácomo and L. Silveira, unpubl.), but additional studies are essential in order to quantify how well the species tolerates intensive agricultural activity.

Omnivorous, consuming principally fruits and small- to medium-sized vertebrates. Numerous authors (Dietz 1984; Carvalho and Vasconcellos 1995; Motta-Júnior et al. 1996; Azevedo and Gastal 1997; Motta-Júnior 1997; Rodrigues et al. 1998; Jácomo 1999; Santos 1999; Silveira 1999; Juarez and Marinho 2002; F. Rodrigues unpubl.) have investigated the diet of the Maned Wolf. These studies have all found a wide variety of plant and animal material in the diet, with about 50% of the diet comprising plant material and 50% animal matter. The fruit Solanum lycocarpum grows throughout much of the range and is a primary food source; other important items include small mammals (Caviidae, Muridae, Echimydae) and armadillos, other fruits (Annonaceae, Myrtaceae, Palmae, Bromeliaceae and others), birds (Tinamidae, Emberizidae and others), reptiles and arthropods. Although the frequency of plant and animal items found in faecal samples is approximately equal, the biomass of animal items is usually greater than that of plant items (Motta-Júnior et al. 1996; Santos 1999; F. Rodrigues unpubl.). Certain items, such as rodents and Solanum, are consumed year round, but the diet varies with food availability. At least occasionally, pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) are also consumed (Bestelmeyer and Westbrook 1998). In Jácomo's (1999) study, deer appeared in 2.4% of 1,673 samples analysed.

Detailed Species Account:

(from Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs - 2004 Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan)

Reports/Papers:

Soler, L. et al 2005. Maned wolf conservation in Argentina. Endangered Species UPDATE 22(1):3-9.

Relevant Links:

Aguará guazú website in Argentina with text in Portuguese, Spanish, and English.
The Brasilia Zoo is involved in research on and captive breeding of maned wolves.
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington D.C. is involved in captive breeding of maned wolves.
Vacunamos Para La Vida! (Vaccinate for Life!) poster. A digital copy of the poster can be downloaded in Spanish in Spanish or English (1050x768 1MB). Wildlife ecologist Louise Emmons has spent the past seven years developing field research on a Bolivian population of the endangered Maned Wolf, focusing on documenting seasonal movements, population dynamics and shifting abundance of prey densities, as well as other ecological parameters of importance for the survival of this most sensitive of species. Public awareness concerning disease transmission through contact with domestic livestock is a priority issue for maned wolf conservation in Bolivia as elsewhere. To address this threat, Dr. Emmons teamed up with cartoonist and wildlife conservationist Alan Hesse to produce the "Vaccinate for Life!" poster, which is currently being distributed to rural settlements, schools, protected areas and local organisations throughout the region. Contact information: emmonsl@si.edu or alan.hesse@googlemail.com

Other Names:

French: loupà crinière; German: mähnenwolf; Portuguese: lobo guará, guará; Spanish: aguará guazú (Argentina), lobo de crin, borochi (Bolivia)