For the first time since 2009, maned wolf pups have been born at the Denver Zoo.

A litter was born May 1 made up of two male pups and one female pup, according to a news release from the Denver Zoo. The pups have not been named yet.

The triplets are too young to be outside on their own, but visitors can see the pups as their mom, Adrianna, carries them from den to den in the Wolf Pack Woods exhibit.

Maned wolves resemble red foxes with long legs, but are not related to foxes and are not members of the wolf family. They are the largest wild dogs in South America.

These are Adrianna’s and dad Inigo’s first babies. The couple were brought to Denver as part of a species survival plan.

“Fortunately, the couple has proved to be an excellent match,” states the news release.

The population of maned wolves is estimated at less than 23,600, so they are classified as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

According to the news release, the primary threats for the maned wolves are agriculture and ranching that destroy their habitats.

Poultry farmers also kill the maned wolves because they prey on chickens, and people in some places hunt them for food and body parts which are believed to have magical powers.

Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, or

More in News