A rare and exciting scene took place in Areião, inside Ibiti: a female maned wolf gave birth to two pups in the wild. The fact, reported by a local resident who spotted the animals, is cause for celebration and reinforces the importance of conservation efforts in protected areas. We still have no records of the cubs. The image illustrating this article was taken by an Ibiti Projeto trap camera, in Areião, at another time. Although it doesn't depict the birth, it is a real record of a maned wolf roaming the area.
Choosing this regenerating territory as a shelter and nursery is in itself a sign of confidence. The maned wolf, the symbol species of the Brazilian Cerrado, is considered an indicator of environmental health: it only stays and reproduces in balanced and preserved environments.
"It's a gift from nature and a milestone for everyone working to regenerate this ecosystem," says Clariane Maranho, from Ibiti's Regeneration Department. "But it's also a moment that demands attention and respect: because she has cubs, the female can adopt a more protective behavior, which is natural in any species."
How to act when you spot a maned wolf
- Keep your distance - Never try to approach, touch or feed, especially puppies
- Don't interfere - The maned wolf is a solitary and discreet animal that avoids contact with humans
- Attacks are very rare - It only occurs when the animal feels threatened or cornered
- Inform the local team if you spot the animal
Endangered species, the wolf–he guará plays a vital role in ecological balance, helping to control populations of small animals and dispersing seeds wherever it goes. Its survival depends directly on the conservation of its habitat and respectful coexistence with humans.
May this new generation of young wolves remind us once again that caring for nature means caring for the future of us all.