10 African Painted Dog Pups make playful debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Meet one of Africa’s most endangered predators—now bounding and stealing hearts in Chicago

Brookfield, IL—There’s a new kind of energy racing at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, and it comes with oversized ears, wagging tails and a whole lot of personality. A litter of African painted dog (Lycaon pictus) pups born on Nov. 25 is now exploring its outdoor habitat at Habitat Africa! The Savannah, giving guests a chance to connect with one of Africa’s most endangered predators in an unforgettable way.

The pups—five females and five males—can already be spotted in playful pursuit of one another, darting across the habitat and occasionally piling into a bundle of paws and ears under the watchful eyes of parents Roanne and Kellan. While their movements may look like chaos, these early interactions are building the foundation for something remarkable: the teamwork and tight-knit bonds that define life in a painted dog pack. Guests may also begin to notice that no two pups look exactly alike. Their coats, once darker at birth, are starting to brighten into a mix of black, brown, gold and white, with unique markings.

“The African painted dog puppies experienced a lot of new scents, sights and sounds for the first time, like seeing a giraffe and experiencing their first rainfall,” said Racquel Ardisana, associate director of carnivore care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. “You could hear their twitters—the name for some of the 20 plus distinct vocalizations they make—while exploring their habitat today.”

Prior to their public debut today, the puppies were growing behind the scenes under the care and close observation of the Zoo’s dedicated animal care staff. Guests got a first good glimpse of them through an episode of “Wild Rounds with Dr. Mike,” when Brookfield Zoo Chicago President & CEO Dr. Mike Adkesson took viewers behind the scenes for the litter’s first exam, vaccination, identification photos and measurements. Dr. Mike was the Zoo’s veterinarian when the litter’s mom, Roanne, was born and received her first wellness exam at the Zoo in 2020.

Moments like these help tell a bigger conservation story. African painted dogs are among the most endangered carnivores on the planet, with fewer than 7,000 remaining in the wild. Their survival is challenged by habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and disease—making every opportunity to raise awareness and inspire action all the more important.

This litter represents Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s ongoing commitment to protecting

threatened wildlife and bolstering populations through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program. By connecting guests with species like the African painted dog, the Zoo aims to inspire a deeper understanding of wildlife and the role each of us can play in protecting it.

Guests interested in visiting the puppies can do so during the Zoo’s Spring hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. In the meantime, guests and supporters can contribute to the ongoing care of Roanne and her puppies through the Zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Fund. Donations help support critical conservation work at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and beyond.

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Media Note: B-roll and photos of the puppies exploring their outdoor habitat, as well as soundbites about their development and debut, are available here for media purposes only with credit to “© Brookfield Zoo Chicago”.

About Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Connect. Care. Conserve.

Since 1934, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species—including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be Humane Certified™ by the American Humane Society for the care and welfare of its animals, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org or follow @BrookfieldZoo on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.