It all started with an email about an optional trip extension to my Brazil jaguar trip. The extension…maned wolves. “What’s a maned wolf?”, I asked myself. Before I even had the answer, I knew I was going to sign up.

Maned wolves are the largest canid in South America and the tallest of all wild canids. Their behavior, diet, and temperament are similar to the fox yet they are not related to either foxes or wolves. It is a distinct species and the only member of the genus Chrysocyon. Their closest living relative is the elusive bush dog which I happened to see, but the sighting is a story for another time.

Maned wolves are active from dusk to dawn. Although I tried to wait patiently for one to appear in the darkness, there was always a point where I couldn’t keep my sleepy eyes open and I reluctantly headed off to my cabin. The camp managers advised if we heard the clank of a cowbell, a wolf was paying us a visit. Rest came a little easier knowing I wouldn’t miss an appearance.

The night I took this photo, the soft sound of the bell awoke me from my sleep. I jumped out of bed, put on my hiking boots, and grabbed my camera. I slipped out of my cabin and slowly made my way to the lights of the dining pavilion.

My heart was pounding as I gazed at the beautiful animal with her sleek red coat and bushy black mane. It appeared as if she had given herself a good brushing just for the occasion. I was so excited to capture a photo, but there seemed to be something wrong with my camera! There was nothing but black darkness! It only took a few seconds to realize the lens cap was still on. After removing the cap and tempering my excitement, I shot as many frames as I could in the short visit.

As the wolf gave a final glance over her shoulder before slipping away into the night, I put my camera down. I wanted to see her full beauty which could be not fully appreciated through a lens. It’s just one of the mental photos I have that I will cherish forever.

As I sit here writing, all I can think of is how much I want to go back and see those gentle creatures of the night. I definitely need more cowbell.

Photos and story by Janet Rigoni
Brazil | Photography with Ann & Rob Simpson