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Pups in Public Grey seal pups Celia and Peanut were born with long, white fur called lanugo
(pronounced la-NOO-go). Two to four weeks after birth, lanugo fur was replaced by
ARRIVAL After spending the first part of the year behind the shorter, stiffer hair similar to that of adults.
scenes, our pups are outdoors and ready to meet the
aunt. It takes a village to raise these pups; although only the pack’s
public—including you! Head over to PINNIPED POINT to dominant male and female breed, other adult members help
raise and feed the young. Painted dogs are one of Africa’s most
meet two grey seal pups—Celia and Peanut. The female pups were endangered predators. The medium-sized animals are a true wild
canid (dog) species; they are not closely related to domesticated
born a day apart in January to 16-year-old half-sisters Lily and Tasha. dogs. Their large, rounded ears give them excellent hearing and help
cool them down when temperatures climb. See if you can learn to
Both pups were sired by 19-year-old Kiinaq (KEY-knack), who was tell the pups apart. They have beautiful and distinctively patterned
coats—no two coats are the same.
found injured in the wild shortly after his birth.
Both sets of pups were bred following recommendations from the
The grey seal population is native to the North Atlantic and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP).
An SSP is a cooperative population management and conservation
Baltic Sea. Brookfield Zoo is one of only 10 facilities in North America program for select species in accredited North American zoos
and aquariums.
to feature the species. As the first female grey seals to be born here,
Peanut and Celia will help us maintain a healthy, genetically diverse,
and self-sustaining population for the species in professional care.
From PINNIPED POINT, venture over to HABITAT AFRICA! THE
SAVANNAH to meet the newest members of our African painted
dog pack. Seven frisky pups joined the pack in January. The pups
are being raised by their first-time mom Ngala (EN-galla) and an
New mom Ngala African Painted Dog has her paws full
with seven rambunctious pups. Luckily, her sister is a
willing baby sitter.
12 GATEWAYS | NEWS BITES
