WILDLY Unique: Celebrating World African Wild Dog Day
August 26 is World African Wild Dog Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores. Also known as African painted dogs, these remarkable animals are known for their distinctive coats, strong social bonds and incredible teamwork.
African painted dogs are unmistakable thanks to their unique coats, with patterns of black, brown, gold and white that make each individual look different. Their large, rounded ears aren't just distinctive, they also help keep them cool in the heat of the African savanna. The ears contain many blood vessels close to the skin, allowing heat from the blood to escape through the ears as air moves over them. Painted dogs also communicate through a combination of vocalizations and body language, giving them a fascinating way to interact with one another. At Greenville Zoo, guests can get to know two African painted dogs, sisters Bailey and Parker, who arrived in 2025.
African painted dogs are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss and fragmentation can bring these animals into closer contact with people and livestock, increasing the potential for human-wildlife conflict. Habitat fragmentation can also bring them into greater contact with domestic dogs, increasing their exposure to diseases such as rabies and canine distemper.
Greenville Zoo is an AZA-accredited institution and participates in Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE), an AZA initiative that brings together the expertise of accredited zoos and aquariums and uses their broad audiences to help save threatened species. African painted dogs are one of the species supported through the AZA SAFE program, which works to increase conservation support and public awareness while strengthening connections between AZA institutions and conservation partners.
For Greenville Zoo, programs like SAFE provide another way to connect the animals in our care with the larger conservation story. By giving guests the opportunity to learn about African painted dogs and meet Bailey and Parker, the Zoo helps build awareness and appreciation for this endangered species.
We’re excited to celebrate World African Wild Dog Day and shine a spotlight on these incredible animals! Celebrate with us by visiting Greenville Zoo, where you can meet Bailey and Parker, learn more about African painted dogs and discover the many ways zoos help connect our communities to wildlife and conservation.
Conservation efforts with Bailey and Parker are made possible through generous supporters like you. Thank you. Learn more about ways to give.
