Rare wolf pups born at Paignton Zoo
The births are a breakthrough for conservation efforts
Two maned wolf pups have been born at Paignton Zoo, bringing hope for a species that is notoriously challenging to breed in captivity.
The pups, born on 6th November 2025 to parents Tolock and Lua, are currently resting in a den near the Queen's Grove picnic area.
With their dark brown fur set to change to a russet-gold colour as they grow, the best time to spot the pups is early morning or late afternoon, when maned wolves are typically more active.
Maned wolves are South America's largest wild canine species, although they are neither wolves nor foxes.
Standing nearly a metre tall and weighing up to 25kg, they are solitary animals outside of the breeding season and have an omnivorous diet, consuming small mammals, insects, fruit, and vegetation.
Fewer than 17,000 maned wolves survive in the wild across South American grasslands. These formidable conservation challenges make every birth in captivity a significant landmark.
According to Paignton Zoo, only three UK zoos have managed to breed maned wolves successfully in the past year, highlighting the rarity of these births.
The zoo’s carefully monitored breeding programme played a crucial role in the pups’ arrival. Senior Mammal Keeper Cindy Naylor 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."
Following months of observation and a shift in breeding programme guidance last month, Tolock and Lua quickly conceived, leading to the pups being born shortly afterwards.
Both parents are actively involved in their care and the young animals will remain with them until they reach independence at around one year old.
The maned wolf species is managed under the European Endangered Species Programme. This ensures genetic diversity among those bred in captivity to support conservation aims, including potential future reintroduction into their natural habitat.