When an animal gives birth in what it perceives as an unsafe or unstable setting, it may choose to reject its newborns in order to focus on survival.
Because they act purely on instinct, and because every species and situation differs, the outcome is never predictable. One animal may consider an environment safe, while another could see that same setting as threatening.
That is exactly what happened with one new mother who refused to raise her pups. Luckily, another stepped in to give them the care they needed.
A Fragile Beginning
At Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, the arrival of three endangered African painted dog pups initially filled the staff with joy. Sadly, that happiness was short-lived.
The parents, Bleu and Maurice, had lived at the Zoo for years, and the team carefully monitored Bleu’s pregnancy from the start. Everything appeared normal, and she eventually delivered eight healthy pups.
Since African painted dogs rely on close-knit packs to survive, it was critical that the family remain together.
It was equally important that staff only step in when absolutely necessary, allowing the painted dog parents to handle their pups naturally.
“In zoos, animal care staff try to remain as hands-off as possible to ensure that the painted dog pack is able to raise their litter of pups. This strategy has been proven through numerous successful births in zoos around the world, and it gives painted dog puppies the best chance to learn the complex social structure of their species. The goal is for each litter to successfully integrate into a pack and contribute to future breeding programs within zoos,” said the staff in a newsletter.
But just 12 hours after the birth, the staff realized something was terribly wrong. Bleu, an inexperienced mother, didn’t know how to care for her pups and soon began neglecting them.
After consulting with the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP), the staff concluded that the pups should be hand-raised.
Since canine socialization was vital, SSP recommended finding a surrogate domestic dog to nurse the litter rather than relying on bottles.
And that is exactly what the Zoo set out to do.
A Golden Foster Mother
Thanks to assistance from the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare, within hours the Zoo welcomed Kassy, a gentle Golden Retriever who had just delivered her own litter. With enough milk to spare, she was the perfect surrogate.
Kassy immediately embraced the painted dog pups, nursing and nurturing them as though they were her very own.
Despite the around-the-clock dedication of both Kassy and the staff, not all the pups survived. Sadly, it is common for newborn animals to pass away soon after birth, and the loss weighed heavily on everyone.
Still, there was a glimmer of hope, as three pups pulled through.
Named Blue, Red, and Orange, after the colors used to track them, the surviving pups continued to thrive under Kassy’s care until they grew stronger.
“Originally, the recommended plan was for the painted dog pups to reintegrate with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby. However, the adult painted dogs didn’t display suitable positive interest in the puppies, so the plan was changed,” wrote the staff.
The revised plan called for building a separate home for Blue, Red, and Orange beside Bleu and Maurice. This way, the pups could learn painted dog behavior while remaining close to their species.
Looking Toward The Future
When the pups grow older, the Zoo team hopes to reunite them with the Potawatomi pack.
If reintegration fails, the pups will be transferred to another AZA-accredited zoo, where they will have the chance to raise families of their own.
The effort was a remarkable collaboration to ensure every animal involved was safe and healthy. And it was made possible thanks to Kassy, a Golden Retriever mom who happily opened her heart to three pups in need.