Our Stories

Monday, January 7, 2019

Notes from the Field: Reflections from Zimbabwe

This trip to Zimbabwe has been an emotional and humbling experience. I lost my best friend to cancer this year and we always wanted to go to Africa together. She talked about going on a safari, so it’s very fitting that I’m here now. Resources just aren’t readily available here. Butter, bread, water, concrete… they get what they can when it’s available. They don’t even have an option to have items mailed. Customs gave us a hard time... Read More

at Monday, January 7, 2019

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Notes from the Field: Sustainability Not Just Watchword with Painted Dog Researchers

I was fortunate enough to travel to Zimbabwe in November to visit the Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT) and participate in the conservation efforts supported by the OKC Zoo. In Sizinda, Zimbabwe, where the project is located, scarcity is an ever-present reality of day-to-day life. We quickly learned that conservation isn’t just the act of saving a species or even a habitat, it is a way of life. The water we use to cook, clean our dishes and even bathe is reclaimed and reused for the... Read More

at Thursday, December 27, 2018

African painted dogs Round Up For Conservation Global Conservation Efforts Painted Dog Research Trust Field Conservation

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Leader of the Pack: OKC Zoo African Painted Dog Research Unlocks Species Secrets

Endangered African painted dogs , like those at the Oklahoma City Zoo , live in dynamic family groups and have a population of only about 1,400 mature individuals in the wild. That’s why establishing a large breeding population is an important safeguard against extinction. Painted dog breeding and population management is coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan (SSP) . The SSP moves animals among zoos regularly to maintain genetic... Read More

at Wednesday, February 7, 2018

African painted dogs Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan Painted Dog Research Trust

Friday, January 26, 2018

OKC Zoo Team Reports on Zimbabwe Conservation Journey, Part 2

Starting in 2017, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden partnered with the Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT) to support their conservation mission. The PDRT director, Dr. Greg Rasmussen, has worked for almost two decades protecting and studying the African painted dog, an endangered species with fewer than 7,000 left in the wild. To further support the PDRT, the Zoo sent two employees on a conservation trip to Zimbabwe in November to participate in research and (attempt) to track and... Read More

at Friday, January 26, 2018

Painted Dog Research Trust African painted dogs Conservation Action Round-up Engagement Conservation Round Up For Conservation Round Up

Monday, January 22, 2018

OKC Zoo Team Reports on Zimbabwe Conservation Journey

Starting in 2017, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden partnered with the Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT) to support their conservation mission. The PDRT director, Dr. Greg Rasmussen, has worked for almost two decades protecting and studying the African painted dog, an endangered species with fewer than 7,000 left in the wild. To further support the PDRT, the Zoo sent two employees on a conservation trip to Zimbabwe in November to participate in research and (attempt) to track and... Read More

at Monday, January 22, 2018

African painted dogs Round Up For Conservation Conservation Efforts Painted Dog Research Trust Zimbabwe

Monday, August 21, 2017

Conserving the African Painted Dog

African Painted Dogs have gone by several different names over the years. In fact, you might’ve heard Cape Hunting dogs or African Wild dogs as well. Many individuals confuse their species with hyenas. Although their appearance is similar, this comparison is not accurate. African Painted Dogs are Africa’s equivalent to North America’s wolves. They are both highly advanced predators, have a similar social structure and a place of dominance or subordination in the pack,... Read More

at Monday, August 21, 2017

African painted dogs Zoo conservation and science Greg Rasmussen Zimbabwe Africa

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Pearl’s Pregnancy Revealed in Animal Planet’s Global Facebook Live Event

Facebook is the place where you expect to see old friends, vacation photos and funny videos. But, a surprise sea lion pregnancy announcement from the OKC Zoo? Almost 20 million Facebook friends of Animal Planet were able to hear and see the great news in real time as an ultrasound was verifying our suspicions—all part of the cable network’s Facebook Live stunt. The Zoo worked with Facebook friend and conservation supporter Animal Planet, along with 18 other national zoos... Read More

at Thursday, March 2, 2017

Association of Zoos & Aquariums California Sea Lion African painted dogs Wellness Exam Veterinary Science Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital OKC ZOO Animal Planet Facebook Live

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Xena’s Big Delivery of Fourteen Painted Pups

While alpha male, Dojo, stood guard outside the den box in the early morning hours of November 17, Xena, our female African painted dog, began giving birth to her fourth litter of critically endangered pups. Throughout the delivery, the exact number of pups was a mystery to Zoo staff as they monitored Xena’s progress on remote cameras. After two days of active labor, they confirmed that Xena had given birth to 14 painted pups! Xena has become an experienced and doting mother.... Read More

at Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Oklahoma City Zoo Oklahoma City African painted dogs pups African painted dog birth Species Survival Plan Animal Births

At the OKC Zoo, Go Wild!

Category: African painted dogs