Newborn African painted dog pups welcomed at Oklahoma City Zoo
Exciting news from the Oklahoma City Zoo! A litter of six adorable African painted dog pups arrived recently, filling the zoo with joy Learn more about these endangered pups and their conservation efforts at the zoo
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden recently welcomed the birth of six African painted dog pups, announced by zoo officials. The pups, born on November 5 and 6, are the offspring of Pele, a 3-year-old first-time mother who arrived at the zoo in October 2021.
The zoo's curator of carnivores, Tyler Boyd, announced that the pups are the first litter of African painted dogs since 2016. According to the World Wildlife Fund, this breed, also known as African wild dogs, is one of the most endangered mammals in the world.
Fossilized Trisauopodiscus tracks (left) and modern bird tracks (right).
Abrahams et al.; 2023; PLOS ONE
Millions of years before the earliest birds appeared, mystery animals walked around on birdlike feet, study finds
From 2010 to 2022, the population of African painted dogs in the wild decreased from around 11,800 to about 5,000, as reported by the Oklahoma City Zoo. The zoo has a strong commitment to protecting these endangered animals, both within the zoo and in their natural habitat.
"We aim to raise awareness and support conservation efforts focused on African painted dogs. This will not only educate our visitors about this incredible species, but also contribute to vital initiatives aimed at preserving these animals across their range, ultimately helping to prevent their extinction," stated Boyd.
The zoo posted a video on Facebook showing Pele and her new puppies enjoying time together in their den.
Caretakers are using video-monitoring equipment to monitor the pack, as reported in the release. The caretakers have noticed the puppies nursing regularly, indicating that they are "healthy and doing well," according to zoo officials.
"We are currently prioritizing allowing the mother to continue bonding with the newest additions out of the public eye, as well as the rest of the pack, which is crucial for their well-being," Boyd stated.
The zoo describes African painted dogs as having a distinctive tri-colored coat, prominent ears, and fluffy white tails. They are known to be social animals that live in groups ranging from two to 40 dogs.
Southern Africa and the southern parts of East Africa are home to the largest remaining populations of endangered mammals, as reported by the World Wildlife Fund.
Since 1972, the Oklahoma City Zoo has been caring for a total of nine painted dogs.
