A litter of South American bush dogs has recently made its first public appearance at Chester Zoo.
Visitors to the conservation charity’s zoological gardens were won over by the five pups, which are the only members of the species to have been born in the UK so far this year. Small, round and brown, the new arrivals in Chester have been nicknamed the “little furry potatoes” and have been exploring beyond their den in a specially designed habitat that suits their needs.
The zoo is working to develop a genetically healthy population of the species in conjunction with a European breeding programme that was set up to safeguard them and other animals classed as endangered. In the wild, bush dogs face many threats, including disease, hunting and habitat loss due to the encroachment of human activities in the areas to which they are native.
As well as the public, the five newborns have also attracted the interest of their older siblings. The big sisters and brothers of the pack enjoy picking them up by the scruff and moving them around. The high-pitched call of bush dogs has been compared to the chirping of birds. When protective mum and dad Molly and Charlie hear the sound, they step in and tell them off when necessary.
Animal fans visiting or living in Chester can now see the new litter and their family in action when they visit the zoo. Easy to find, the attraction is based just outside the city’s historic Roman walls in Upton-by-Chester.