Meet Stella and Cieza: Gulf Breeze Zoo has a new sibling pair of maned wolves

The Gulf Breeze Zoo has a new brother-sister duo representing a new species to its grounds: Stella and Cieza.

Stella and Cieza are maned wolves — a declining South American canine species. They will play vital roles in protecting the future of maned wolves from their new habitat.

Since arriving in mid-October, the almost 3-year-old sister and brother pair, born in December 2018, have settled into their new home quite well. Guests to the park can now view them in their custom-designed exhibit.

Maned wolves are the largest canine species in South America, standing close to 3 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 60 pounds, according to Gulf Breeze Zoo officials.

Their markings resemble those of foxes, but they are neither a fox nor a wolf. Instead, genetic studies show that the maned wolf is a distinct species.

It is the only species in the genus Chrysocyon, meaning "golden dog.” Their impressive red coat, large ears, and stilt-like legs are adaptations for living in central South America's grasslands and scrub forest, from Brazil to the dry-shrub forests of Paraguay and northern Argentina.

Gentle and timid in nature, maned wolves are primarily solitary in the wild, although a breeding pair usually remains monogamous and shares the same territory. Maned wolves are listed as near-threatened because of loss of habitat by encroaching human populations, the introduction of certain diseases, and poaching for their body parts believed to have medicinal healing powers.

Gulf Breeze Zoo continues to respond to species decline and is focused on preserving animal populations, including maned wolves. The addition of Stella and Cieza to the Gulf Breeze Zoo allows residents and visitors to the Florida Panhandle an opportunity to gain an appreciation for protecting this unique species.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Breeze Zoo has a new sibling pair of maned wolves