There is a very exciting new arrival at the Australian Reptile Park, or rather, six of them.
Much-loved dingo Chilli has safely given birth to six healthy puppies, surprising keepers with a bigger litter than expected and marking the largest litter of dingo puppies ever born at the Park.
Keepers had been preparing for four puppies, with the possibility of a fifth, after earlier scans showed four clearly visible pups and one possible extra hiding from view. But when the time came, Chilli had one more surprise in store.
“This is actually the biggest litter of dingo puppies we’ve ever had here at the Reptile Park and Chilli did a great job,” said Park Manager Billy Collett.
In the days leading up to the birth, keepers had been watching Chilli closely for signs that labour was getting close. Her walk had started to change, she was showing signs of discomfort, and the team could tell she was preparing for the arrival of her puppies.
Chilli showed signs of early labour for around three days before giving birth inside her specially prepared den, where keepers had been monitoring her carefully.
All six puppies are healthy, with one tiny pup already standing out as the obvious runt of the litter. The smaller puppy also has darker fur than the others, making it easy for keepers to spot during health checks.
While the little pup is doing well, keepers are keeping a close eye on it to make sure it continues feeding, gaining weight and growing alongside its siblings.
Chilli has recovered well after giving birth and is already proving to be a devoted mum. She is feeding her puppies, cleaning them, keeping them warm and staying close as they settle into their first days of life.
The Australian Reptile Park team is giving Chilli plenty of space to bond with her puppies, while also providing extra food, care, monitoring and support as she recovers.
The puppies have not yet been named, and the Park is inviting the public to help. With Chilli and her companion Bandit both named after characters from the much-loved Australian television show Bluey, keepers are now calling for name suggestions inspired by the Bluey universe.
“For the time being, the puppies will stay with mum and dad. We’ve already found homes for them when they grow up, so when they’re ready, they’ll start that journey,” said Billy.
The puppies will remain with Chilli and Bandit for now, with carefully arranged permanent homes already secured for when they are old enough to be independent.
Dingo puppies grow quickly, and keepers expect them to begin opening their eyes within the next two weeks. Once they are old enough and confident enough to explore, visitors may have the rare chance to see them step outside the den and into the dingo yard under Chilli’s watchful eye.
Beyond being incredibly cute, the puppies will also play an important role in helping visitors learn more about dingoes and the place they hold in Australia’s ecosystem.
“These little puppies don’t know it yet, but they’re actually an ambassador for their species. The more people that love dingoes, the better,” said Billy.
To celebrate the successful birth, the Australian Reptile Park is reaffirming its commitment to protecting dingoes in the wild. The Park is funding a scat analysis project in the Barrington Tops, working alongside a leading professor and geneticist to better understand the region’s wild dingo population and help shield the species from baiting.
Closer to home, visitors are invited to meet the new dingo puppies once they begin exploring, learn more about this incredible species and discover the vital role dingoes play in Australia’s ecosystem.
Through its ongoing dingo education program, the Australian Reptile Park hopes to build greater understanding and appreciation for one of the country’s most misunderstood native animals.
