Painted Dog Party at Monarto Safari Park

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: January 16, 2022 12:01 am

African painted dogs Bulu and Penda celebrate their sixth birthday at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Zoos SA

African painted dog sisters Bulu and Penda have celebrated their sixth birthday together at Monarto Safari Park.

Keepers at the South Australian Zoo provided the painted dog pack with a range of treats to celebrate the special occasion. Special enrichment provided for their big day, included birthday boxes filled with a variety of red meats, streamers and some hand-crafted paper lanterns.

Keeper Alice Hardstaff said the pack was very excited when they saw the tasty treats.

“The girls love playing with each other and having fun,” she said.

“This playful behaviour is all part of the necessary social bonding that keeps the pack such a powerful unit.”

Bulu and Penda were born at Monarto Safari Park in 2016. In April last year Bulu welcomed her own pups, Ajani, Masikio, Liyana, Amani, and Sanaa.

— AD —

African painted dogs are named for their multi-colored coat which resembles a painting. They live in large groups led by a dominant pair.

This species is one of the most endangered in Africa with an estimated population of less than 7,000 remaining down from 500,000 in the past.

Their decline has been driven by human interference, including poaching, road kills, the spread of domestic dog disease and habitat fragmentation.

Learn more about African Wild Dogs here – African Wild Dog Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Monarto Safari Park on their website – Monarto Safari Park