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News Bites continued
New Leaders African painted dogs are highly social animals and cannot be without the companionship
WELFARE of Our Pack of their pack for very long.
The African painted dog pack at Brookfield Only the dominant male and female in a painted dog
Zoo experienced some excitement earlier pack mate and reproduce. Among painted dogs, the
this year when two sisters arrived on a breeding loan from dominant animal doesn’t announce that it’s in charge.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s The Wilds. These sisters Instead, the subordinate animal lets the dominant one
came to Brookfield Zoo because they are excellent genetic know it’s top dog. Since Selous and Ngala are young, they
matches for our male, Chewbacca. Introducing animals to hadn’t established which one of them is the dominant
each other at a zoo is an involved process. Our crew female. But dominance was quickly established upon their
members must ensure the animals are a good genetic arrival and introduction to Chewbacca— Selous quickly
and personality match and that they are all comfortable displayed subordinate behavior by bowing her head and
and healthy. licking Ngala’s chin.
Transferring animals and making introductions can Although being the subordinate means Selous won’t
sometimes take months. But since African painted dogs have any pups of her own right now, she will still actively
live in highly social, pack groupings, introductions need to care for her sister and Chewbacca’s pups. Dominance
be conducted as safely and quickly as possible. The entire isn’t static in painted dog packs, so Selous may become a
African-painted-dog ballet took less than 48 hours leader one day.
to complete. As the sisters settle in, their animal care specialists are
Our new females, Selous and Ngala, arrived the day teaching them how to participate in their own health care
after our former resident female dog went to meet her through positive-reinforcement training. At a protected
new pack in Dallas. These ladies had already been vaccinat- contact panel, they are being taught how to put their
ed and medically screened by the veterinarians at both paws up, step on a scale, open their mouths for an exam,
Brookfield Zoo and The Wilds, so they were eligible for and take food from the hand. If medication is ever needed,
immediate introduction to Chewbacca with no quarantine it can be hidden in food. These skills help us keep the
period necessary. pack fit and healthy.
Our canine experts at the zoo are hopeful we may see
8 GATEWAYS | NEWS BITES pups as early as this spring. So, keep your eyes peeled!
