What's Happening in Cincinnati, OH…

Cincinnati Zoo's African painted dogs quadrupled their numbers last week, when Imara, a four-year-old, gave birth to twelve pups, bring the total number of African painted dogs at the facility from four to sixteen.

This isn't the first time Imara has had a large litter; she gave birth to ten puppies in January, 2015.

According to zoo officials, full litters of these dogs rarely survive. However, since all of Imara's 2015 litter not only survived but thrived, keepers are optimistic that she will be able to save this litter as well.

Although the pack can access the outdoor part of their exhibit, it is not likely that the pups will be on exhibit for visitors to see for several months. Instead, Imara will keep them in their den, behind the scenes.

African painted dogs, which are known for their multicolored coats and large, rounded ears, were once found throughout Africa. However, they are now one of the most endangered species on the continent, with experts estimating there are fewer than 5,000 dogs left, most in parts of Eastern and Southern Africa.

The markings on a dog's fur are unique to that animal, and they are often mistaken for hyenas.

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