Knoxville — They're healthy, playful and enjoying life at Zoo Knoxville!
Five endangered African painted dog pups born at the zoo in January are making their public debut this weekend.
The three males and two females are running around and exploring their habitat, under the watchful eye of their parents. They are the first littler born at Zoo Knoxville to mom Swiss and dad Puzzle.
African painted dog pups born at Zoo Knoxville
There are only 6,600 African painted dogs still in the wild in Africa, and their numbers are declining because of loss of habitat, conflict with humans and infectious disease. There are approximately 130 painted dogs in accredited zoos In the U.S.
“The birth of these pups was a significant moment for our team here at Zoo Knoxville, who are dedicated to the conservation work they do to save African painted dogs,” says Phil Colclough, Director of Animal Care, Conservation and Education. “It’s a great milestone for us and the Species Survival Plan. Plus, I have to admit, these five pups are just a whole lot of fun to watch.”
Puzzle came to Knoxville from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, and Swiss from the Cincinnati Zoo on the recommendation of the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP). The goal is to save the species from extinction by maintaining a healthy, genetically diverse population in zoos and through research, public education and field conservation projects.