ABSTRACT
Maned wolves are a particular species with unique nutritional needs and anatomical, physiological, behavioral, and ecological adaptations, which are relevant to understanding and managing their health status in captivity and in the wild. Understanding how maned wolves live in a natural habitat can provide new techniques to prevent many problems related to captive management (e.g., parasites and infections; nutritional and behavior disorders). As a large carnivore, the maned wolf requires special techniques of physical and chemical restraint for their handling, examination, and collection of biological samples, in both captive and wild situations. Infectious diseases have been identified as a great threat to maned wolves, in captivity and in the wild. Updated knowledge on important viral, bacterial, and parasitological diseases affecting this species will be presented, as well as miscellaneous conditions affecting health within the context of maned wolf populations.
