Lonely maned wolf has a difficult start in life: But the new roommate changes everything

Wichita (Kansas/USA) - Maned wolf Amora was born perfectly healthy, but her birth was overshadowed by a dramatic event - her mother Layla died completely unexpectedly. The keepers at Sedgwick County Zoo had to improvise. Does the cute furball still have a chance?

Maned twelve Amora has to grow up without a mother.
Maned twelve Amora has to grow up without a mother.  © Sedgwick County Zoo

When a baby animal is born healthy at the zoo, it is actually a reason to rejoice.

But when Amora was born, the staff atSedgwick County Zoo(Kansas) experienced both joy and sorrow. Despite expert care, mother animal Layla died shortly after the birth of her offspring, the zoo announced. Amora was suddenly alone.

Although these majestic wild dogs roam their natural habitat - the savannahs of Brazil - alone, the young need social contact with other animals of their own species. They first have to learn what it means to be a maned wolf.

Amora was initially bottle-fed by the keepers. The little predator was perfectly healthy and grew bigger and bigger. But there was a great danger that the puppy would become too accustomed to living with humans. A solution had to be found.

Slinky, the lonely dog - the perfect play partner for the young maned wolf?

While Amora was raised with the bottle, Sklinky had to manage without his pack.
While Amora was raised with the bottle, Sklinky had to manage without his pack.  © Montage: Sedgwick County Zoo

At the same time, just a few kilometers away, puppy Slinky was growing up at the Kansas Humane Society shelter.

The brindle mongrel was surrendered the same day Amora was born. But while his littermates were all adopted, Slinky felt very sad and lonely, the shelter staff reported on Facebook. Slinky was still waiting for his forever home.

Then came the call from the zoo. The keepers asked the animal shelter if they could give away a puppy so that Amora could have some company. Amora's keepers visited Slinky and liked him immediately.

Just one week later, the maned wolf and the dog were carefully introduced to each other. They hit it off straight away - Slinky has since moved into the zoo.

Slinky and Amora like each other

Slinky (l.) and Amora hit it off straight away.
Slinky (l.) and Amora hit it off straight away.  © Sedgwick County Zoo
Slinky is a little whirlwind, Amora has more of a playful temperament. The two kittens therefore have different character traits.
Slinky is a little whirlwind, Amora has more of a playful temperament. The two kittens therefore have different character traits.  © Montage: Sedgwick County Zoo
But the two get on well together.
But the two get on well together.  © Montage: Sedgwick County Zoo
The maned wolf is the largest wild dog in South America. The species is considered endangered.
The maned wolf is the largest wild dog in South America. The species is considered endangered.  © Aguará, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What's next for Slinky and Amora?

Slinky has now settled in well in his new home. The friendly dog can often be seen playing and sniffing with the little maned wolf. The gentle and playful Slinky and the somewhat hot-tempered Amora obviously get on brilliantly.

Amora's keepers note: "While Amora has quite a feisty personality, Slinky's playful nature is helping her grow into the wolf she is meant to be." But as soon as Amora is an adult, the two will go their separate ways. After all, the maned she-wolf is meant to live with her own kind one day.

Slinky can still be happy. When his job is done, he will move into his new home. An animal keeper fell in love with the cute puppy and adopted him without further ado.