The Bronx Zoo just announced the arrival of its newest furry friends, a pack of three male dhole, a species of Asiatic wild dog. The fox-like, endangered animal will reside adjacent to the Himalayan Highlands at the zoo. The three dholes are siblings and were born born at the San Diego Zoo. The dhole exhibit times may vary while the animals acclimate to their new environment. Stay tuned for exhibit hours and details as they are available.
“We chose to renovate and repurpose the polar bear exhibit to create a dhole habitat that will give us the opportunity to educate and inspire our guests about an endangered species,” said Jim Breheny, Wildlife Conservation Society executive vice president and director of the Bronx Zoo, in a press release. “In addition to fostering an appreciation for the conservation needs of this species, this exhibit will highlight some of our work with dhole in the field. Our long-term plans include a breeding program to contribute to the sustainability of the population in AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) accredited zoos.”
Dholes don a brownish-red coat with a dark, busy tail, much like foxes. An adult dhole weighs between 25 and 45 pounds. Unfortunately, dhole numbers in the wild due to human activities like land development, hunting, and diseases contracted from domestic dogs. They are classified as endangered, and estimates indicate there are fewer than 2,500 adult dholes in the wild.
WCS is studying the species and working to protect dholes in their habitats in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
