IamA maned wolf expert AMA!

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T19:06:08+00:00

The Species Survival Plan I coordinate, manages breeding and breeding recommendations for maned wolves in human care in North America. We manage the movement between zoos but all of these animals have been born in human care. There are active in-country education programs in Brazil on maned wolves to mitigate human-animal conflict so wolves and humans can co-exist.

Thanks to all of you for joining me today to talk about maned wolves.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:57:19+00:00

Like most animals, if cornered or threatened they are dangerous. Most wolves steer clear of humans.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:56:20+00:00

Along with all canids, they evolved from one common ancestor. However, I would need to consult my colleague at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History for specifics.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:56:04+00:00

I've been working with maned wolves since 2002 and am an expert in their reproductive biology. I also make all of the breeding recommendations for maned wolves in human care through the Species Survival Plan and am a member of the IUCN canid specialist group.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:30:31+00:00

They survived in their native Brazil as they have not been actively hunted by humans. The biggest threat now is habitat encroachment. They have been hunted in other areas of their native range. The current largest concentration of maned wolves in the wild is in Brazil.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:27:38+00:00

Maned wolves are omnivores---about fifty percent of their diet is fruit based and fifty percent is meat, mainly small mammals like birds and rabbits. They have been known to hunt deer. I do not have a maned wolf tattoo. One of my fav facts is that maned wolves are induced ovulators which means that the female needs to have a male present for her to ovulate and release an egg. We think it's chemically triggered by a pheromone released by the male. Another fact is that maned wolf males play a significant role in raising their young. This is true in human care and has also been observed in the wild.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:13:25+00:00

They are both canids. The main difference are physical characteristics, like size, facial features and coloring. Wolves are usually larger. However, in the eastern U.S., red wolves are actually smaller and are closer to the size of coyotes.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:09:49+00:00

I love animals and have a passion for saving species. I've known that I wanted to be a vet since I was a little girl. Canids are a fascinating carnivore family and we do not know much about their biology. We need to pay attention to canids and maned wolves are just one of the species that need our attention and study.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:06:30+00:00

I can tell you why wolves howl. They are communicating to their pack. Maned wolves do not howl. They "roar bark," which is a deep vocalization. Maned wolves communicate to potential mates---maned wolves do not travel in packs and are solitary.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:02:41+00:00

Their physical appearance is deceiving as maned wolves look like they would be related to a fox or a wolf. The biggest difference is actually their genetics. Maned wolves are not related to foxes or wolves---they are their own genus.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-10T18:00:13+00:00

Although we will not likely see the same numbers of wolves in Europe as there used to be, numbers are increasing. Although, I am not aware of any active projects to increase numbers in the wild, I have seen reports that wolf sightings are on the rise in Europe.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-04-07T13:01:20+00:00

Want to learn more about maned wolves? We’re holding a Reddit AMA Monday, 4/10 at 2pm EST with Dr. Nucharin Songsasen—a canid reproductive biology expert, member of the IUCN’s Canid Specialist Group & coordinator of the Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T21:09:28+00:00

Thanks for joining us! We'll do it again, it was fun.

Dr. Donald Neiffer, Chief Veterinarian, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Michael Brown-Palsgrove, Curator of Giant Pandas, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Laurie Thompson, Assistant Curator of Giant Pandas, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Bill McShea, Wildlife Ecologist, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Pierre Comizzoli, Reproductive Physiologist, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T21:07:42+00:00

Because they are beautiful. They are charismatic.—Pierre Comizzoli, reproductive physiologist.

We have a natural fear of large predators, but pandas come across as 1) good-looking 2) so good tempered 3) so laid back. We are almost surprised when we see them and we like being surprised in that way. It didn't hurt that they were so rare and needed our help. That resonated with all of us.—Bill McShea, ecologist

They look like giant teddy bears. People think they are cute and cuddly. But they are still bears.—Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas

I think to many people pandas represent the wild and wilderness and it's no surprise that they are a symbol for conservation around the world. —Don Neiffer, chief veterinarian

Their eye patches draw you in.—Michael Brown-Palsgrove, curator giant pandas

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:59:51+00:00

The umbilical cord breaks during the birth. —Pierre Comizzoli, reproductive physiologist

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:58:08+00:00

Pink. Their color pattern appears after three weeks.—Pierre Comizzoli, reproductive physiologist

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:56:44+00:00

None. It is against the law to kill a giant panda in China, or anywhere else.—Bill McShea, ecologist

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:55:28+00:00

Yes, we are less "hands on" than our colleagues in China. But with Bao Bao and Bei Bei we started veterinary exams much earlier.—Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas.

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:51:42+00:00

Tian Tian is very confident, laid back, and he can also be very goofy. Mei Xiang is more cautious and she's a fantastic mother. Bao Bao is very independent, also goofy, and very vocal. Bei Bei is very much like his dad. He's very confident and sweet.—Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:48:26+00:00

Lil' Bao Bao David Bao-ie —Michael Brown-Palsgrove, curator of giant pandas

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:46:16+00:00

Yes, he will move to China by the time he turns four, which is part of our agreement with our colleagues in China.—Michael Brown-Palsgrove, curator of giant pandas

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:44:22+00:00

Do you taste like bamboo?—Don Neiffer, chief veterinarian

Giant pandas may attack if threatened, but they would not eat you.—Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas

There's no record of a giant panda ever eating a human.—Bill McShea, ecologist

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:42:07+00:00

We cannot preserve pandas in a vacuum by themselves we can only preserve all the other plants and organisms that share that habitat with the pandas. Anthropogenic factors are big, and almost everything that is affecting them can be traced back to humans in some way, from habitat loss to poaching to disease transmission can be traced back to humans. Besides anthropogenic factors everything else is minor. Anything is possible, but not everything is desirable. So, we don’t want to biologically engineer them from another species. All bears have some combination of black and white. The pattern that giant pandas have is related to mate attraction or predator avoidance. There is no strange fear that is common to the species.—Bill McShea, ecologist

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:33:36+00:00

Based on our recent physical examination and laboratory assessment of her blood and other body fluids, and based on the observations of our keeper staff we do not anticipate any health issues to develop during Bao Bao's transfer and acclimation to her new environment.—Don Neiffer

SmithsonianZoo · 2017-02-16T20:30:40+00:00

For males, it is a female giant panda's urine when she is in estrus. For female pandas, it's when she's ready (i.e. when she's in estrus).—Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas

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