THE EXHIBIT. Located near African lions, spectacled bears, and Ankole cattle, the new African wild dog exhibit features amenities that would make any canine feel right at home, including a pool and a cabana. The exhibit's pool is 7 feet by 12 feet and 1.5 feet deep. The cabana is a 12 feet by 12 feet shade structure. The exhibit is landscaped with trees and sod and features two dens. Zoo guests may observe Blaze, Aries and Mikita from a shaded viewing area.

THE DOGS. Closely related to domestic dogs, African wild dogs are perhaps the most easily recognized member of the canine family with their large, almost comical, rounded ears, and dappled coat of black, gold and white. Adults usually weight around 55 pounds, but they can get as large as 80 pounds. African wild dogs live in tightly bonded social groups or packs of 2 to 30 individuals.

CONSERVATION. Once numbering in the hundreds of thousands, the African wild dog is now one of the African continent's most endangered animals. It is believed that fewer than 5,000 wild dogs currently exist in the wild. African wild dogs have been extirpated (eliminated) from 25 of the 39 countries they formerly inhabited. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other conservation organizations regard African wild dogs as a high-priority species for wildlife conservation.

The Houston Zoo is located at 1513 North MacGregor. The Zoo is open daily during Daylight Savings time from 9 am until 7 pm with the last ticket sold at 6 pm. For more information, click here Houston Zoo.