The three Chinese dholes that came to the Wild Animal Park in 2001 were among the very few in zoos anywhere. A critically endangered species that was difficult to care for and breed, these three, a male and two females, were part of the Species Survival Plan to try to increase the population and learn more about the behavior and needs of the species. At the Wild Animal Park, they had their own habitat in an off-exhibit area, where they could settle in quiet surroundings.