This feature makes the beautiful pelt worthless in the fur trade. However, skins of the maned wolf can still be found for sale at low prices in the interior of South America. Population declines and loss of natural habitat have caused this species to be listed as endangered. Education programs are being undertaken in some areas of South America where hunting is particularly strong to dissuade farmers from the practice. Ancient folklore has been harmful to this species.
Legend has it that the mere gaze of the maned wolf can kill a chicken.
Some body parts are believed to have medicinal value. The left eye removed from a live maned wolf is said to be a good luck charm. The maned wolf is now considered endangered throughout most of its natural range. In both Bolivia and Uruguay it is believed to be extinct, or surviving in very low numbers. Current information on its status is scarce, but researchers roughly estimate that there are between 1500 and 2500 alive today.