Maned wolves are the largest South American canid and have specific welfare needs including extensive territory requirements and susceptibility to particular diseases in captivity.
Maned wolf welfare in captivity requires addressing both the acute risk of giant kidney worm infection and the chronic challenge of providing sufficient space and appropriate social structure for a solitary, wide-ranging species. Kidney worm prevention through invertebrate exclusion is life-saving. The territorial nature of maned wolves means that long-term cohabitation of pairs requires careful monitoring and space adequate for spatial separation. Species-appropriate diet including fruit is essential.