This week, our pack of dogs were carefully moved from the African Savannah into a new temporary habitat, which previously houses Sumatran Tigers.
This move allows important works to be safely carried out in their permanent home.
While the move is only for a short time, it took a lot of careful planning to make sure the process was as calm, quick and comfortable for the dogs.
Our expert animal team worked closely together to relocate each individual safely.
That meant calling the dogs into the behind-the-scenes raceway in their night quarters and encouraging them to walk into a transport crate, one and a time.
Perth Zoo Senior Keeper Becky Thomasson said the move went seamlessly thanks to excellent team work.
“Moving a pack of African Painted Dogs, even just a short distance, is a complex operation,” Becky said.
“African Painted Dogs aren’t as similar to pet dogs as you might think, and they have very complex social structures and dynamics that we needed to be mindful of.
“Every keeper involved in the move had a clear role to ensure the whole process ran smoothly and efficiently, and that team work really paid off.”
Once crated, the dogs were carefully forklifted onto a Ute and driven up to their new temporary digs.
On arrival, they were released one by one, giving each dog the opportunity to explore at their own pace while staying connected to the rest of the pack.
To help the dogs feel more at home, keepers prepared the habitat ahead of time with familiar scents.
Old bedding made from hay and substrate was placed throughout the space, along with some dog poo! An important and comforting marker for such a scent-driven animal.
“Smell is very important for animals like painted dogs, it helps them understand the world around them,” Becky said.
“By bringing familiar scents in with them we’re essentially telling the pack ‘you’re safe, this is yours’, which can make a big difference to how quickly they settle in.”
Animal welfare is always our top priority, and every decision made during this move was aimed at setting the dogs up for success.
Reducing handling, keeping the pack together, and providing environmental familiarity all help the dogs feel secure during periods of change.
The dogs will remain in their temporary home for the coming weeks while works continue, but the change of scenery offers an added benefit.
Exploring a new environment provides excellent enrichment, with plenty of new smells, sights, and experiences for the pack to investigate.
For intelligent and curious animals like African Painted Dogs, this novelty can be incredibly positive.
“Some of the dogs in this pack were born here through our role in the regionally coordinated breeding program, so the Savannah habitat is all they’ve ever known,” Becky said.
“There’s plenty to explore in this new space but we’re also keeping a close eye on them to make sure they don’t become stressed by the change.
“They’ve never seen glass before, so it could be a little surprising or confusing to suddenly see people so close.
Visitors can currently see the pack in the old tiger habitat, and we kindly ask everyone to be quiet and patient as the dogs continue to settle in.
Stay tuned for more updates!