WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- The National Zoo is welcoming the birth of four maned wolf pups at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va.
National Zoo officials say the pups were born to 8-year-old Salina and 4-year-old Nopal. Keepers are monitoring the pups closely because maned wolf pups have a 50 percent mortality rate in the first month, according to zoo officials.
According to the National Zoo, the pups were born Jan. 5 and are the first litter born at the Front Royal location in two years. According to National Zoo officials, 72 maned wolf pups have been born at the Front Royal facility since 1975. The facility currently has 12 wolves, including the pups.
PHOTOS: Wolf Pups Born At SCBI
Researchers are hoping to learn more about the biology of the species from this litter. According to researchers, maned wolves are difficult to breed under human care and the population has declined 20 percent during the last five years in North America. Currently, researchers believe that some of the reproductive challenges are caused partly by gastrointestinal disorders common in the species and may be linked to diet. Salina and Nopal are on a new trial diet that more closely resembles the plant-based diet of maned wolves that live in the wild, say officials.
Maned wolves live in central South America. According to zoo officials, approximately 20,000 are left in the wild.
National Zoo officials say the pups were born to 8-year-old Salina and 4-year-old Nopal. Keepers are monitoring the pups closely because maned wolf pups have a 50 percent mortality rate in the first month, according to zoo officials.
According to the National Zoo, the pups were born Jan. 5 and are the first litter born at the Front Royal location in two years. According to National Zoo officials, 72 maned wolf pups have been born at the Front Royal facility since 1975. The facility currently has 12 wolves, including the pups.
PHOTOS: Wolf Pups Born At SCBI
Researchers are hoping to learn more about the biology of the species from this litter. According to researchers, maned wolves are difficult to breed under human care and the population has declined 20 percent during the last five years in North America. Currently, researchers believe that some of the reproductive challenges are caused partly by gastrointestinal disorders common in the species and may be linked to diet. Salina and Nopal are on a new trial diet that more closely resembles the plant-based diet of maned wolves that live in the wild, say officials.
Maned wolves live in central South America. According to zoo officials, approximately 20,000 are left in the wild.
Nyssa was a black color-phase female born on May 12, 2004 and was tragically lost on May 11, 2005. When staff began bottle-feeding Nyssa, her younger age and smaller body size led staff to be very protective of this little pup. Care and efforts were effective as Nyssa grew into a very independent, muscular wolf. Her medical exams on May 6th showed her weight at 95 lbs, compared to Maya's 79.5 lbs. Nyssa will be most remembered by her intense behavior during the Center's feeding program. Nyssa dominated the carcass, not only showing dominance to her fellow pups, but lunging with full-teeth barred to the arctics as well.
R.I.P
Nyssa
For each wolf, you will see a weekly photo, notes on behavior or physical health and a video clip. Please note, due to the large file size of the video clips, they will only be archived for 30 days. Text and images from logs do stay with each wolf as they travel from pups, to the Exhibit Pack to Retirement and to the Gone but Not Forgotten Pack.
R.I.P
Mackenzie
A knocking, loud and then soft.
A calling, sweet and tender,
I looked but it was gone
Sweet smells the barn loft.
A corner, around it went
The swift moves of a midnight wolf,
A panting, kind, intoxicating.
What a pleasure the moon lent.
I called it, but it disappeared
Through trees, forest, and caves.
Up and down did I search
Wondering what the message geared.
I was cornered, afraid and alone.
Touch, it reached to my heart.
Intense and nerve-racking
The green of its eyes shone.
And at the time of the gasp,
The midnight wolf was gone
With a swift move of its tail.
And I, the hare, was loose of its grasp.
I thought and realized soon
What the message was about,
That love is timid, yet a wild thing,
It only glitters in the moon.
And I thought for awhile,
Standing in the midst of a field.
When suddenly came the midnight wolf,
And the sight of it made me smile.
A calling, sweet and tender,
I looked but it was gone
Sweet smells the barn loft.
A corner, around it went
The swift moves of a midnight wolf,
A panting, kind, intoxicating.
What a pleasure the moon lent.
I called it, but it disappeared
Through trees, forest, and caves.
Up and down did I search
Wondering what the message geared.
I was cornered, afraid and alone.
Touch, it reached to my heart.
Intense and nerve-racking
The green of its eyes shone.
And at the time of the gasp,
The midnight wolf was gone
With a swift move of its tail.
And I, the hare, was loose of its grasp.
I thought and realized soon
What the message was about,
That love is timid, yet a wild thing,
It only glitters in the moon.
And I thought for awhile,
Standing in the midst of a field.
When suddenly came the midnight wolf,
And the sight of it made me smile.
Ok you know how curtis runs into his Alpha school bully from his other pack well know there in a fight
Curtis shot back 'Well listen loser i think your just jealous!' and then it hit him like a frieght train Justin punched him in the face his snout was bleeding and he got up and punched justin square in the face hearing a pop he had broken his nose and Now Calvin walked in and said 'Guys break it up!' then justin blurted out 'At least i still have more dominence than you curtis!' then Curtis said back 'You chalenge my dominence?' and that was settled to a dominence fight monday The next thing curtis knew was he was standing with a group of people around him cheering 'Curtis Curtis Curtis' then he saw justin and he went crazy he beat justin down into the ground and he heard justin crying in pain even after it was over once again he was top male...
Curtis shot back 'Well listen loser i think your just jealous!' and then it hit him like a frieght train Justin punched him in the face his snout was bleeding and he got up and punched justin square in the face hearing a pop he had broken his nose and Now Calvin walked in and said 'Guys break it up!' then justin blurted out 'At least i still have more dominence than you curtis!' then Curtis said back 'You chalenge my dominence?' and that was settled to a dominence fight monday The next thing curtis knew was he was standing with a group of people around him cheering 'Curtis Curtis Curtis' then he saw justin and he went crazy he beat justin down into the ground and he heard justin crying in pain even after it was over once again he was top male...