Whipsnade Zoo in the UK has welcomed three African wild dogs, with the zoo hoping to breed the endangered species, BBC News reports.
Earl, Elvis, and Einstein, all males, have joined from West Midlands Safari Park, and staff at the zoo hope they’ll bond with Beebee and Ginger, already at the zoo, to form a new pack.
Leaders of the Pack
Per zookeeper Sarah McGregor, the two dogs that become the alpha male and female will be the only ones to have pups of their own. “The other dogs will have a different but no less important role; caring for the pups and providing support when they’re born,” she continued, however.
“We’re all keeping our fingers crossed it won’t be long. Earl, Elvis, and Einstein have been settling in well and it’s clear they all have very distinct personalities.
“Einstein has already bonded with Beebee, Earl is at his happiest exploring, and has been intrigued by all the new sights and smells, while Elvis is quiet and gentle and loves to laze around in the spring sunshine.”
African Wild Dogs – An Endangered Species
At one point, there were almost half a million wild dogs roaming Africa, but that number has decreased to fewer than 6,000, per BBC Wildlife Magazine. Altogether, there are fewer than 700 African wild dog packs left in the wild.
“In the wild, African wild dogs might have to travel more than 1,000km in the wild to find a mate with different genes to theirs,” Sarah said.
“Elvis, Earl, and Einstein’s arrival means we will have a similarly healthy and genetically diverse pack at Whipsnade – vital to our work protecting the species.
“Meanwhile, [zoo company] ZSL conservationists are working from Senegal to South Africa to help bring the wild dog population back from the brink by vaccinating domestic dogs in Africa against rabies and ensuring the healthy co-existence of African wild dogs and people.”
