African painted dog pups have been born for the first time at Chester Zoo.
As members of one of the world’s most endangered carnivores, the litter of seven pups poking their heads out of their den for the first time is both painfully adorable and a boon for conservation.
African painted dogs are known for their large, round ears, social nature and incredible stamina.
They hunt in formidable packs and can reach speeds of more than 44mph, bringing down prey many times their size.
Only packs’ alpha male and female breed, with the other members helping to care for and feed the young.
“Watching the pack explore and play together is wonderful and we hope the pups will help us to bring some much needed attention to the species which is under huge pressure in the wild.”
Chester Zoo has worked with the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust African Wild Dog Programme in Tanzania for the past 10 years – with the goal to return populations of painted dogs back to the wild.
“Time is running out for them but, through our long-standing conservation support in Africa, we’re fighting to change this.”
