A small dog was taken in by a local shelter on the same day that a wolf pup was born at a zoo in Kansas. The dog and the wolf pup became a family, as the wolf pup was orphaned.
Amora the wolf, who has no family, and Slinky the brindle mix were brought together by the Sedgwick County Zoo and the Kansas Humane Society.
Layla, the female maned wolf at the zoo, died abruptly after giving birth to Amora.
The KHS said on its Facebook page on Tuesday that, while wolves are usually solitary animals, social connection is especially important for the early development of wolf pups.
In order to help Amora become less of a lone wolf, the zoo contacted the KHS to adopt a puppy that needed a home.
As it turns out, Slinky’s sibling had just been adopted, which left the three-month-old feeling sad. Pairing him with Amora helped to reduce the problems they were both facing.
The Sedgwick County Zoo noted, “They have since been carefully introduced, and while Amora has quite the spicy personality, Slinky’s playful nature is helping her grow into the wolf she is meant to be.”
Amora and Slinky will stay together until the wolf pup is fully grown. Once she does, she will be taken away to live with other maned wolves.
Slinky will not be left in limbo, even when their time together is up. The zoo workers have already developed a fondness for him, and one of the employees intends to adopt him when he and Amora are prepared to separate.
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For certain species, such as cheetahs, it is common practice to keep them in captivity with dogs for company.
Adopted shelter dogs live with the resident cheetahs at zoos like the Cincinnati Zoo so that they can keep each other company.
The fastest animals on Earth are essentially gentle creatures that benefit enormously from having their own emotional support mates, which are typically seen in breeds like Labradors.
Kumbali the cheetah and Kago the labrador have been living together at the Richmond Metro Zoo for almost ten years.
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During the day, the two of them share an enclosure that overlooks the hippo habitat, which is presently home to Poppy the pygmy hippo and her family.
Kago is a loyal companion and can usually be seen keeping watch right next to the glass pane where tourists gather to peer into the enclosure.
