ZooNooz Article - DECEMBER 2007

With a little help

A story of dedication and hope by MAGGIE CRUTCHER.

Photographs Bobby-Jo Vial

Dholes are an endangered species of wild dog found in eastern and southern Asia. Not only are their habitats disappearing due to human encroachment, dholes are also persecuted by many who view them as pests. Taronga Zoo has embarked on a dhole breeding program - the only zoo in Australia to do so.

Last year, Taronga welcomed two dholes named Brahmi and Tunlay from Cambodia. Soon after settling into their new home, they became the proud parents of a beautiful female pup, Kiri.

Unlike the domestic dog, dholes are only able to fall pregnant once a year. Hoping to build on last year's success, Brahmi and Tunlay were allowed to breed again this year. Two weeks before the expected birth, cameras were set up in the whelping box to enable keepers to monitor Tunlay and learn more about dhole birthing behaviour without disturbing her. Normally, dholes give birth around 63 days after mating, but Tunlay did not show obvious signs of labour until day 72. In anticipation of the birth, the vets checked her progress and keepers stayed at the zoo overnight.

Though no pups were born during the night, close examination of the video footage early the next morning revealed that Tunlay had experienced strong contractions around 2.00am. The vets were called and an exhausted Tunlay was anesthetised and rushed to the clinic. Physical examination revealed that the first puppy had become stuck on its way out and a caesarean operation was needed.

All together, five pups were delivered. Despite the enormous efforts by the veterinary staff, the one which had been stuck never recovered, and two were stillborn.

The remaining two, both male, were fine although sluggish. Shortly after the pups were returned to their mum, there was a bit of worry as they weren't interested in suckling, despite assistance from the keepers.

Initially, the keepers decided to leave them in the care of their mum in hopes that she would have better luck. Later that day, it became apparent that mum had not been successful either; the pups still had not suckled and were growing weak.

With the pups' welfare at stake, Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman decided to separate them from their mum to ensure that they were fed overnight. The intention was to return them the following morning; however, because Tunlay became quite stressed when her pups were removed, the decision was made to hand rear them and limit the stress to the mother.

Louise and her fellow keeper, Justine Powell, became foster mums, taking them home each night.

Intensive 24-hour care followed, complete with a rigorous feed schedule (bottle feeding every three to four hours), cleaning, exercise and regular visits to the vet. Needless to say, sleep deprivation became the norm for Louise and Justine!

When the pups were six days old, the keepers began introducing them to their dhole family. The family needed to become familiar with the young ones' scent, and they were placed in a crate next to the enclosure fence each day. Keepers also held the pups up for sniffs.

At six weeks of age, the pups were reunited with their mother under the watchful eye of Louise and Justine. Initially, the pups weren't too impressed with Tunlay's comparatively rough handling (being used to far gentler handling from their foster mums) so the next day they were placed with their dad, Brahmi, a much gentler soul. Throughout the week, the introductions continued until all the adults were curling up peacefully with the pups in the nest boxes during the day.

At eight weeks of age, after a visit to the vet to receive their second parvovirus vaccination, the pups played happily and curled up for a sleep. Later that afternoon, the keepers received an urgent call and upon arrival at the dhole enclosure they were met by a distressing sight - one pup was unresponsive. Keepers quickly retrieved the pup and he was rushed to the vet clinic. Despite desperate efforts to revive him, the pup had died. After thorough postmortem investigation an exact cause of death could not be determined.

Keepers were devastated by the loss and have kept up a close watch on the remainder of the dhole group. During the day, the entire family is together and is closely monitored.

They are behaving normally and interacting well with the remaining puppy. The father, in particular, has been attentive and the pup spends each night with him. This arrangement is working well and the pup is thriving.

Breeding prospects for Tunlay are in doubt, and other zoos in Australia will be needed to join the dhole breeding program so that this little family of four can expand. In the meantime, our (as yet un-named) latest addition is a VIP ... very important puppy ... a precious bundle of hope for the future.

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