Sunset Zoo’s hand-raised puppy pair, Fin a Maned wolf and Matty a golden Labrador, are headed to new homes this fall. Fin will move to Front Royal, Virginia, the location of AZA-accredited Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI); a partner facility of the National Zoo. Matty has been matched with a loving, forever home after staff completed a thorough vetting process. The last weekend to see the canine duo on exhibit together is Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2. Sunset Zoo is open 9:30am to 5pm both days; the pair is typically on exhibit in the mornings through early afternoon.
“Earlier this year, our staff were faced with the tremendous challenge of hand raising a Maned wolf pup,” said Scott Shoemaker, Zoo Director. “We knew then that if we were successful, Fin and Matty would eventually leave us. Knowing that Fin will play an important role in the survival of his species is a wonderful reward after our team’s dedicated care.”
Fin is part of the Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan (MWSSP), a cooperative breeding management program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Maned wolves are considered near threatened in the wild and MWSSP efforts focus on their conservation. One of the ways this is accomplished is maintaining a high level of genetic diversity in captive populations while working to mitigate risks in the wild. The MWSSP has paired Fin with a young female and is recommending they breed once they arrive and complete the introduction process at SCBI. SCBI plays a leading role in Smithsonian’s global efforts to save wildlife from extinction and train future conservationists.
Fin and Matty’s story began in February of this year when Sunset Zoo welcomed a Maned wolf pup to first-time parents, Lelah and Meek. In the animal world, it is common for new moms to struggle adjusting to life with a newborn. During that first week, staff determined they would need to pull the young wolf and hand raise the animal. After consulting with AZA colleagues, it was suggested the Zoo work to find a domestic dog pup for Fin to grow up alongside. Matty, the Labrador, arrived at the Zoo in late February and has lived with Fin since. The two became fast friends and have been on public exhibit since late spring.
To look back at their story, check out the Zoo’s Pup-Date blog atSunsetZoo.com/Pupdates. To learn more about Sunset Zoo, visitSunsetZoo.com or call 785.587.APES.