Topeka Zoo has event planned for Dog Days of summer

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Topeka Zoo will be celebrating an event to bring awareness to endangered African carnivores.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, the Topeka Zoo will celebrate World African Painted Dog Day. African Painted Dogs are one of the most endangered carnivores in Africa. There are less than 7,000 left in the wild, according to the Zoo.

"These amazing canines, listed as an Endangered Species, have some of the most attractive coloration patterns in the wild," the zoo shared in a press release. "Living in groups to support each other with raising puppies and hunting, they are the only known canine predators to cooperatively keep injured fellow members of their pack fed and protected while they recover from their injuries."

You will be able to engage in:

• Craft booths for kids.
• Learning about African Painted Dogs at the exhibit.
• Face Painting.
• An enrichment activity for Painted Dogs at 9:15 a.m.
• Zookeeper Chats on Painted Dogs at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Delicious Painted Dog cookies provided by Engroff Catering for the first 300 guests.

For more information contact Director of Conservation and Education Dennis Dinwiddie at ddinwiddie@topekazoo.org.

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