Zambia Unveils Permit Office for Animals Seeking Long-Distance Romance
After three wild dog brothers trekked 2,500 miles for a mate, officials say future journeys of the heart will require proper paperwork.
Following the record-setting journey of three wild dog brothers across Zambia, wildlife authorities have established a new office dedicated exclusively to processing romantic travel permits for animals hoping to find a mate outside their home territory.
Under the new system, any creature wishing to cross more than a few miles in search of companionship must first submit an application, wait in a queue, and, if approved, carry a small laminated permit clipped somewhere on its body for the duration of the trip.
"We came together as one burrow, divided," said a spokesperson for the office, before excusing themselves to stamp a stack of forms submitted by a family of restless warthogs.
Officials say the permit system will help track which animals are traveling for love versus simply wandering aimlessly, though early drafts of the form reportedly include a checkbox for "just here to see the sights."
The three brothers who inspired the policy are said to be unaware of its existence, having already resumed their search for a mate somewhere well outside the office's jurisdiction.