Singing dogs hit local zoo
Marlie is one of two female New Guinea Singing Dogs which were recently added to the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton. Staff photo/Cody Glenn
By PHILLIP DAVIS
Special to The Daily Journal
Lexie and Marlie, the two New Guinea singing dogs from Illinois, are adjusting to their new exhibit at the Cohanzick Zoo.
The new exhibit is now open to the public and has been seeing quite a few visitors since breeder Thomas Wendt, one of the co-founders of the organization New Guinea Singing Dogs International, delivered them from his Chicago home in late June.
"They've been wonderful," said curator Kelly Shaw of the two 18-month-old sisters, adding, "They're settling in very, very nicely."
The pair initially seemed to be attached to Wendt even after he left the zoo, Shaw said, resulting in some aggression between the two. However, as time went on the dogs became more familiar with their new surroundings and have been playing with each other ever since.
The two dogs belong to one of the rarest breeds, with only about 200 left in captivity.
"This might be their last chance," said Shaw when asked about the importance of the exhibit. "It's about teaching people that this is such an ancient and rare breed. This is definitely a must see exhibit, especially for dog aficionados."
Lexie and Marlie were featured in an episode of Animal Planet's "Dogs 101." The show examines various dog breeds, explaining the dog's features and appeal.
The sisters are not the Cohanzick Zoo's first New Guinea singing dogs.
Digger, the zoo's first singing dog, died last winter at the age of 12 and the zoo had been looking to reopen the exhibit with new dogs ever since, Shaw said.