Feeding of the wolves

Many years ago a priest at Cararca ( this is the only park in Brazil administered by clergy and masses are still held in the old church) tried to befriend the maned wolf which lives in the park.  After a few years he gained the wolves trust and now the nightly feedings are open to the public. I went out after dinner and waited. I talked to a friendly, english speaking couple from Rio, they said the wolf had already come but he might be back. Just half an hour later, he appeared, cautious yet confident and hungry! The maned wolf is the largest canid in South America. Their coat is a light rusty brown, their legs black and a white tipped tail. I was surprised at how big they actually are. His head could easily reach my waist. It was a magical moment to be alone there with the wolf while he wolfed down the meat scrapes. Bats circled over my head coming so close I could hear the wind on their wings.I took many flash photos but this didn't bother the wolf. He must be used to the paparazzi!  He ate almost the whole plate of raw chicken scraps and then wandered back into the forest. I was so happy to see this wolf here but I'm also going to try to see them again in a more natural setting in a few weeks.