Identifying Causes of Reproductive Failure in Zoo-Housed Bush Dogs (Speothos venaticus) to Improve Ex Situ Management

To manage ex situ breeding populations effectively, it is important to understand the factors that may lead to reproductive failure. In this study, we aim to understand factors associated with reproductive success in zoo-housed bush dogs (Speothos venaticus), and form evidence-based recommendations for their breeding management. We distributed a survey to global institutions housing bush dogs to collect data on factors which may affect litter survival. Responses were obtained from 30 zoos across 13 countries, providing data on 125 litter births between 2012 and 2022. Information from the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) and studbook records supplemented this dataset. We found that within northern temperate regions, the number of pups reared to the age of 1 month in bush dog litters (n = 112 litters) is linked to the ages of breeding individuals, prior breeding experience of females and birth season. The number of pups reared per litter declines with advancing maternal age, but this decline can be reduced by pairing with an older male; experienced females rear more pups per litter than inexperienced females, and litters born in the summer have better survival outcomes than other seasons. Sharing data between zoos provides greater statistical power to identify challenges associated with breeding lesser-researched species, allowing zoos to overcome these challenges through evidence-based management changes.