Bush Dogs
THREATENED
Bush dogs, are captivating canids native to Central and South America. These small, stocky carnivores are known for their distinctive appearance, with short legs, rounded ears, and a bushy tail. Despite their name, bush dogs are not closely related to domestic dogs and belong to their own unique genus. They are highly social animals, living in tight-knit packs that cooperate in hunting and caring for their young. Bush dogs primarily feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, using their keen sense of smell and sharp teeth to locate and capture prey. Unfortunately, habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as hunting and disease, pose significant threats to the survival of bush dogs in the wild.
The Little Rock Zoo is home to two adult bush dogs, Luz and Paku, and their three pups born in 2025. Luz and Paku arrived in spring 2024 through a collaboration with the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and European conservation partners, joining us as a genetically valuable pair to help re-establish a breeding population in the U.S.
Their journey to Little Rock was an adventure in itself — one we shared in our Conservation Collaboration Blog. Just months later, we had even more exciting news to celebrate with the birth of their first litter of pups, featured in our Bush Dog Pups Blog.
Bush dogs are rare in U.S. zoos — only a handful of facilities nationwide house them — making Luz, Paku, and their pups an extraordinary part of both the Little Rock Zoo and global conservation efforts.
- Bush dog is semi-aquatic animals, which means that it is adapted to the life close to the water. It has partially webbed feet which facilitate swimming and diving.
- Bush dog produces high-pitched cries for communication with other members of the group.
- Their 40 teeth are set in a powerful jaw that is ideal for capturing and consuming prey items.
- Bush dog is diurnal animal (active during the day). It sleeps in the hollows of the trees or in the abandoned burrows of armadillo during the night.
Bush dogs face significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict throughout their range in Central and South America. Deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization have resulted in the degradation and loss of their natural habitats, making it increasingly difficult for bush dogs to find suitable food and shelter. Additionally, they are often hunted and persecuted by humans due to conflicts arising from predation on livestock and perceived threats to human safety. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting bush dogs include habitat preservation, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts through community engagement and education, and implementing anti-poaching measures. Please join our efforts to secure a future for this species by donating to our conservation fund.
Photos by Karen Caster
