VIDEO: Paignton Zoo celebrates birth of rare maned wolf pups

Paignton Zoo is celebrating the birth of two rare maned wolf pups, born to parents Tolock and Lua early last month.

The pups were born on Thursday 6 November and can now be seen with their parents near the Queen’s Grove picnic area at the zoo. Visitors are most likely to spot the family during the early morning or late afternoon, when maned wolves are at their most active.

The newborns currently have dark brown fur, which will gradually change to a russet-gold colour as they grow. Keepers say the pups are doing well and are being cared for by both parents inside a sheltered den.

The birth is considered a significant achievement, as maned wolves are known to be difficult to breed in captivity. Fewer than 17,000 are thought to remain in the wild across South American grasslands. Only three UK zoos have successfully bred the species in the past year.

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Keepers at Paignton Zoo had been monitoring the breeding behaviour of Tolock and Lua for several months. Encouraging signs were first observed in September, shortly before changes to international breeding programme guidance.

Cindy Naylor, senior mammal keeper at the zoo, said: “We can't believe how well-timed everything was. The pair had been together long before the breeding season, and we were monitoring their behaviours closely. Almost at the exact moment the breeding guidance shifted, Lua came into heat. It felt like perfect timing.”

The pups are expected to remain with their parents until they reach independence at around one year old.

The arrival of the pups comes after further positive news for the zoo. Paignton Zoo has recently secured its long-term future following confirmation that new owners, Dutch company Libéma, will take over its operation next year, following a major takeover deal. The move is expected to safeguard the site and support ongoing conservation, education and breeding programmes.

Maned wolves are South America’s largest wild dog, standing almost a metre tall and weighing up to 25kg. Despite their name, they are neither wolves nor foxes, but a distinct species. They are largely solitary animals and have a varied diet including small mammals, insects, fruit and vegetation.

The species is managed in Europe through the European Endangered Species Programme, which aims to maintain genetic diversity and support long-term conservation efforts.

Tickets to visit the zoo and see the pups can be booked online.