BATTLE CREEK, MI -- In the privacy of a birthing den inside Binder Park Zoo, African painted dogs named Ghost and Verizon are raising 11 pups.

Following the birth of the litter in late November, zoo staff have maintained a “hands-off" approach to give the family unit the opportunity to grow and bond without unnecessary intervention, according to a Binder Park Zoo news release.

African painted dogs are one of the most endangered carnivores in Africa, the release said, with an estimated global population of less than 5,000. This population is still in decline due to human conflict, habitat fragmentation and widespread diseases like distemper and rabies.

The African painted dog is currently listed as endangered by both the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

Also known as cape hunting dogs, wild dogs or painted wolves, African painted dogs are aptly named for their unusually marked coats of brown, black, yellow and white, which are unique to each individual animal.

Born blind, the pups’ eyes are now open. Zoo staff have observed that all 11 appear healthy and normal as they venture from the den area to explore their surroundings, according to the release.

The zoo has been monitoring the family’s activity on closed-circuit cameras to allow Ghost, Verizon and the pups plenty of space, comfort and security, the release said.

“Ghost has demonstrated excellent mothering skills and since painted dogs have a complicated social pack structure, it’s preferable to allow that critical bonding and development to happen as naturally as possible," said Brett Linsley, the zoo’s manager of wildlife, conservation and education.

Verizon is 11 years old and one of three brothers that came to Binder Park Zoo from the Bronx Zoo in 2012. Ghost was born in the United Kingdom in 2014 and later transferred to the Houston Zoo. She eventually joined the Binder Park Zoo pack in 2017 as a breeding recommendation from a Species Survival Plan through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Binder Park Zoo has featured African painted dogs since 1998, opening a new painted dog exhibit in the zoo’s Wild Africa section in 2017.

The new exhibit and holding area were made possible by donations from Frankie, John and Anne Zanetti and the Santo, Maria, Frankie & John Zanetti Foundation, the zoo said.

Guests can see the pups when the zoo opens for the season on April 17. In the meantime, they can learn about their progress and see photos and video on the zoo’s website and Facebook page.