Family adopts maned wolf believing it to be a dog

Dogs are the preferred pets for those who want to adopt a pet. Typically, these animals are found abandoned on the streets and welcomed by families. When we meet an animal on the street, it can be difficult to know what breed it is, how old it is and where it came from.

A Brazilian family recently adopted an animal they thought was a dog, but they were shocked when they found out it was actually a dog. Guara wolf. Learn more about this story!

understand the case

A family from Minas Gerais was surprised to adopt a supposed dog that was found on the road. It turns out that, as the weeks went by, the animal took on a different physical form.

After suspecting that maybe it wasn't a dog, the adoptive family discovered that the animal was a maned wolf.

Characteristics of this animal

The maned wolf is a solitary and territorial animal, which feeds mainly on rodents, birds, fruits and insects. He has a reddish, dense coat, with long, thin legs and large, pointed ears.

In addition, the animal is known to emit a characteristic and very loud howl, which can be heard from great distances. This is a wild animal and can pose risks because of its defense instinct.

After the family verified that it was not an ordinary dog, the animal was taken to a zoo in Santa Catarina.

Cássio de Sousa, Environmental Analyst at the State Forestry Institute (IEF) spoke to G1 about the maned wolf species being endangered:

“Besides the legal reason, there is the ecological motivation. It retains its wild life instincts and can, even if unintentionally, cause some kind of reaction,” said the analyst.

The zoo where the animal is living reported that the maned wolf is in an environment with trees, lake, burrow, bushes and other elements of nature that make it closer to its habitat Natural.

In addition, the animal mistaken for a dog also has a schedule of recreational activities to stimulate its instincts. The animal is being accompanied by veterinarians specialized in the care of animals that are under threat of extinction.

maned wolf at the family home that mistakenly adopted him — Photo: Disclosure/reproduction g1

“Because he didn't live with his mother, he never learned to look for food, shelter and defend himself. Therefore, it would not be able to survive alone, as it would become easy prey or would not find its own food”, explains biologist educator Jenifer Kroth.

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