Maned Wolf (Wild Safari Wildlife by Safari Ltd.)

Review and images by Saarlooswolfhound; edited by bmathison1972

The Safari Ltd. maned wolf, listed as #100367, was released in 2021 and is currently in production. This model is included as part of the Wild Safari Wildlife Collection. The model itself measures to around 4 inches long and 3.5 inches tall (10.16 cm x 8.89 cm).

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is a wild canid that is endemic to savanna habitats of South America, including some parts of the countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and rarely Uruguay and portions of the Andes. This species diverged far enough back in the canine evolutionary tree that it is very unique in this family. Believed to be one of the few species to survive the Pleistocene extinction, fossils have been discovered from this period in the Brazilian Highlands. The only known modern relative of this animal was the Falkland Islands wolf, sadly, now extinct. Besides this extinct species, the only other closely related species today is the bush dog which also resides in South American habitats, and the maned wolf is distinctly separate in its relationship to other nearby dwelling canines such as the zorro, crab-eating fox, etc.

The maned wolf is the largest canine in this region weighing up to 44-66 lbs (20-30 kgs) and up to 35 in. at the withers (90 cm.) which also makes it the tallest of any species in the canine family. These elongated legs are adapted to peer over tall savanna grasses while hunting. Its scientific name means “golden dog” given its striking reddish-brown coat with white tipped tail, dark legs and muzzle and characteristic dark “mane”. Although very rare, these animals can be melanistic in color and have been recorded. This animal is sometimes remarked upon as being foxlike in appearance given its coloration, however it is related to neither to red foxes nor wolves, belonging instead to its own genus.

This animal is crepuscular and typically is most active during twilight hours of dawn and dusk attempting to feed its omnivorous diet which includes small mammals, birds, fish, and up to 50% vegetative matter. These animals enjoy munching on sugarcane, tubers, and other fruits such as the wolf apple. This makes this a unique canine not simply because of its’ unusual diet but because it also is considered a seed disperser for local flora. These animals are typically solitary and communicate as most other dogs do, by scent marking and its’ distinctive “roar-barking” call. Unfortunately, due to habitat restriction and other human related conflict, this species is listed as endangered by the IUCN.

The model itself is quite well done in my opinion. The proportions to me appear to be accurate, the fur texturing is done well, but best of all the motion that this sculpt captures is of course what gives it the most spark. As with many Safari models, the paint application could be improved on some specimens. The model itself is quite large as well, significantly bigger than its CollectA counterpart released several years before.

There have been some complaints from collectors who have spoken of an indescribable dislike for the model. Given that some cannot quite place their finger on what exactly unsettles them from this particular rendition of this species I wonder if perhaps it speaks to the phenomenon of the “uncanny valley”; a situation where a person has an extreme emotional response to something about a visual stimulus that reflects some human characteristics but isn’t. And perhaps, in a poetic way, this reflects the werewolf like features that some people have remarked on this extraordinary animal.