African Painted Dog Pups Debut | Perth Zoo

The highly threatened African Painted Dog has had its numbers boosted with the birth of nine pups at Perth Zoo. The six-week-old pups, who have only just emerged from their underground den into the public spotlight, had their first health check today. They were weighed, Oakley Sunglasses ######ed, microchipped and had their individual markings recorded. The tri-coloured pups spent their first few weeks of life under the watchful eye of their mother, 7-year-old Mara, inside the den where Mara gave birth. Perth Zoo senior veterinarian Simone Vitali said all of the pups appeared to be in good health. "The first couple of months are the most critical period so we are extremely pleased to see the pups out of the den and the males cooperating with the care of the young," Dr Vitali said. "The adult male pack members have been regurgitating their meals to help feed the pups and Mara. This is natural behaviour that ensures the young develop and become part of the group." The Zoo's breeding pack of African Painted Dogs comprises five adult males, one adult female and the nine pups. Perth Zoo is part of an Australasian breeding program for this endangered species. This is the third litter born at Perth Zoo since 2005. One of the world's most mysterious and exceptional species, the African Painted Dog is threatened with extinction in the wild in Africa where its numbers have declined dramatically due to human actions including road kills, snares, culling by farmers, introduced diseases from domestic dogs and habitat loss/fragmentation. "Until recently, there were tens of thousands of Painted Dogs in Africa and now it is estimated that there are just 3000 left in the wild," Dr Vitali said. "Unfortunately, they are one of the most misunderstood predators in Africa. Unlike most animals, they often care for their old, sick Carrera Sunglasses and injured pack members." In addition to its breeding program, Perth Zoo supports the conservation of African Painted Dogs in the wild including anti-poaching, snare removal work and community education programs in Zambia. Since 2008, Perth Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Action Debt talks shift gears as leaders develop new plan - Tucson Citizen community fundraising program has provided 36,000 to an anti-poaching unit in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park – home to one of the last viable Painted Dog populations in the wild. A further 10,000 has been provided to an education outreach program in Zambia. Operational since August 2008, the African Painted Dog anti-poaching unit has removed many snares and apprehended suspected poachers. In addition to helping save Painted Dogs and other animals from snares, the anti-poaching unit is providing employment for local communities. Increasing the number of anti-snaring units is a priority for conservation groups working in the country and for the Painted Dog's survival.