Golden Retrievers Step In as Surrogate Mothers for Endangered African Painted Dog Pups

In a heartwarming tale of cross-species compassion, an Indiana zoo recently welcomed a litter of endangered African painted dog pups in December 2023. Out of the eight newborns, only three survived, thanks to an unexpected source of nurturing. While African painted dogs, also known as African wild dogs or African painted wolves, typically thrive within their pack structure in the wild, this particular group found a surrogate mother in an unlikely companion – a golden retriever.

Potawatomi Zoo, which houses a diverse range of wildlife, made the announcement of this extraordinary endeavor last week. Bleu and Maurice, the biological parents of the pups, were not fulfilling their parental duties, as Bleu proved to be an inexperienced mother, and Maurice followed suit. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the zoo’s Animal Care team, committed to preserving these endangered species, intervened.

With fewer than 7,000 adult African painted dogs left in the wild, their status as endangered is primarily attributed to factors like human-wildlife conflicts, habitat fragmentation, and diseases. This situation demanded an unconventional approach to ensure the survival of the pups.

Traditionally, zoos adopt a hands-off approach to allow young animals to develop in a manner that mimics their natural habitat, enabling them to learn intricate social structures within their species. However, in this instance, it became evident that human intervention was necessary to ensure the pups’ well-being.

Rather than resorting to bottle feeding, the zoo sought guidance from experts who specialize in breeding African painted dogs in the United States. These professionals suggested that the pups would thrive with the assistance of a surrogate dog since they are naturally inclined to live within a canine social structure.

The Indiana Council for Animal Welfare played a pivotal role in connecting the zoo with a golden retriever named Kassy. Kassy, who had recently given birth and was producing the necessary milk, was an ideal candidate to nurture the painted dog pups.

Kassy arrived at the zoo with her own litter of puppies, and without hesitation, she embraced the role of surrogate mother to the African painted dog pups as if they were her own. The initial week was marked by round-the-clock care and dedicated attention from the zoo’s staff. Regrettably, some of the painted dog pups lacked the strength to overcome their challenges, but three tenacious pups – affectionately nicknamed Blue, Red, and Orange, in reference to their birth tracking colors – persevered and thrived.

Unlike traditional practices that prioritize integrating young animals with their pack, the zoo had to adapt its approach due to the older painted dogs’ lack of interest in the pups. Consequently, the zoo established a separate enclosure for the three surviving pups, next to the adult painted dogs. Future plans include reintegrating them with the pack when they reach an appropriate age.

The journey has been emotionally taxing and arduous for the zoo’s dedicated team, but it underscores their unwavering commitment to conserving endangered species. These three robust and lively pups mark just the beginning of their story, and the zoo eagerly anticipates sharing their future milestones with the world.

African painted dogs, distinguished by their alternative names, are indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. These social creatures live in extensive family groups, led by dominant male and female figures. Despite their modest size, ranging from 29 to 43 inches in length, they exhibit remarkable agility and speed, capable of sprinting up to 44 miles per hour. African painted dogs employ their collective hunting skills to take down larger prey, with an impressive 60% success rate in hunts.

At 11 weeks old, the pups continue to thrive under Kassy’s care, and the zoo eagerly anticipates providing them with their own dedicated space where they can continue to learn and grow as painted dogs, all while contributing to the vital mission of preserving this remarkable species.