Topeka Zoo says goodbye, animals leaving for conservation effort

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Topeka Zoo is saying goodbye to two animals that will be going to another facility to aid the endangered species.

On Friday, The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center announced that its African painted dogs Kellan and Takoda will be taken to another facility to help breeding efforts for their species. The move is planned to take place in March.

"African painted dogs Kellan and Takoda are two littermates born September 11, 2016, at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana," the Zoo wrote in a press release. "They arrived at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center in 2018 for the opening of the Camp Cowabunga exhibit."

Multiple zoos with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums work together on the African Painted Dog SSP (Species Survival Plan) and Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE). The zoo says Kellan and Takoda both have breeding recommendations from the SSP from two separate facilities.

“We are so proud to be a part of the Species Survival Plan with other AZA accredited Zoos, which will ensure we have these animal species in Zoos for years to come” stated animal curator, Shanna Simpson. “Kellan and Takoda are very valuable to the African Painted Dog population, and they are leaving Topeka to be paired with females for breeding. We are so excited for them to be introduced to females, hopefully have a litter of pups, and help raise those pups.”

African painted dogs each come with a unique color pattern which helps them distinguish who is who in the wild, according to the Topeka Zoo’s website. They are known for having one of the largest litters of any canine species at 10 puppies per litter. These painted dogs are considered endangered in Africa due to deforestation and poaching.

The zoo said it would give updates as Kellan and Takoda's travel date draws nearer.

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