Keepers 'excited' to care for trio of maned wolves

Keepers at a safari park say they are excited to care for a trio of maned wolves.

The new additions at Longleat Estate, Wiltshire, are the first of their species to live at the park.

Maned wolves, despite their name, are not wolves and are similar to foxes in appearance and are omnivores - primarily eating fallen fruit, insects, and fish.

New additions Fleur, Luna and Arabella will live in a mixed South American habitat with capybaras and tapirs.

"We're excited for guests to see the three new girls," said keeper Eloïse Kilbane.

The maned wolves have been living at the park for six months to acclimatise, and will now be living in areas open to visitors.

They have unusual proportions, with long legs that allow them to see over the long grasses of their natural habitat.

The species has been in decline in its native South America in recent decades.

"There are fewer than 17,000 maned wolves left in the wild and the species has seen a 20% reduction in just 15 years," Kilbane said.

"This makes the three sisters incredibly important, even though we don't plan to breed them currently."

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