When animals give birth in what they perceive as a dangerous or unstable environment, they might choose to reject their offspring. This drastic decision often stems from the instinct to prioritize their own survival. By rejecting their young, the parent can avoid the increased vulnerability that comes with caring for offspring in a perilous situation.
However, this is not always a predictable outcome. Animals rely heavily on instinct, and different species—and even individual animals within a species—can perceive the same environment very differently. One animal might see a place as safe while another might see it as full of threats.
A New Mother’s Tough Decision
This situation unfolded recently with a new mother at Potawatomi Zoo. Thankfully, another caring mother stepped in to save the day.
A Difficult Start for the African Painted Dog Pups
When Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, welcomed three endangered African painted dog pups, the staff were thrilled. Unfortunately, their joy was short-lived. The parents of these pups, Bleu and Maurice, had been part of the Zoo’s family for a long time. The staff had closely monitored Bleu’s pregnancy from the beginning, and initially, everything seemed fine. Bleu gave birth to eight healthy puppies, which was a cause for celebration.
Given that African painted dogs thrive in packs, it was crucial for the new family to stay together. The zoo staff aimed to intervene only if absolutely necessary, allowing Bleu and Maurice to raise their pups independently.
“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,” the staff explained in a newsletter.
Challenges of an Inexperienced Mother
Despite these efforts, within just 12 hours of the pups’ birth, the staff noticed something was wrong. Bleu, being an inexperienced mother, didn’t know how to care for her babies properly and began neglecting them. After consulting with the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP), the zoo staff concluded that they needed to intervene and hand-raise the litter.
The SSP recommended finding a surrogate domestic dog to nurse the pups instead of bottle-feeding them, to ensure they grew up within a canine social structure. The Zoo acted quickly on this advice.
Enter Kassy, the Golden Retriever
With the help of the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare, the Zoo soon welcomed a Golden Retriever named Kassy. Having recently given birth to her own litter of puppies, Kassy had plenty of milk to share. This beautiful golden girl immediately accepted the painted dog puppies, nursing and caring for them as if they were her own.
Despite Kassy’s incredible care and the staff’s round-the-clock efforts, not all the painted dog pups survived. It is not uncommon for some baby animals to pass away shortly after birth, but this was still heartbreaking news for everyone involved.
A Ray of Hope
Despite the losses, there was a silver lining. Three of the pups—now named Blue, Red, and Orange after the colors used to track them—survived. They continued nursing with Kassy until they grew big and strong.
“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,” the staff wrote.
A New Plan for the Pups
The new strategy involved building a home for Blue, Red, and Orange next to Bleu and Maurice. This proximity would help the pups learn how to behave like painted dogs by observing their own species, fostering their natural behaviors.
Looking to the Future
When the pups are older, the Zoo staff will make efforts to reconnect them with the Potawatomi Zoo African Painted Dogs pack. If integration proves difficult, the pups will be relocated to another AZA-accredited facility where they can hopefully start families of their own.
The collaboration among the Zoo staff and the wider animal welfare community was remarkable, ensuring the well-being of all the animals involved. A significant part of this success story is thanks to Kassy—a truly incredible dog and mom who was more than happy to help.
Final Thoughts
Kassy’s role in this story highlights the extraordinary bonds that can form between animals, even across species. Her willingness to care for the painted dog pups exemplifies the nurturing instincts that many animals possess. This story also underscores the importance of dedicated zoo staff and animal welfare organizations working together to provide the best possible outcomes for endangered species.
