Due to human/animal conflict, habitat fragmentation and a host of natural infectious diseases; the African wild dog has become an endangered species. Fondly referred to as “painted dogs’, these canines are a delight to witness in the wild. Knowing that you are viewing an endangered species happily living and roaming free in the wild is one of nature’s finest gifts.
When guests and rangers stumble across wild dog clans, the occasion is always momentous. Coupled with their protected species status, wild dogs are also nomadic which means the chances of spotting a pack is fairly rare. Guests at Umkumbe Safari Lodge were in the enviable position of being out on game drive when a clan of curious wild dogs and their pups approached the vehicle. There were 10 adults and 11 pups in total and the incident was quite amusing. The pack is referred to as the “Sabi Sands pack”.
When wild dogs den it’s generally the only time of year they settle into an area for a lengthy period of time. A den site is usually a disused aardvark burrow and the dogs will hang around the area for up to 12 weeks, after which they will resume their nomadic lifestyle. Pups are vulnerable while young and need protection against opportunistic predators. The denning period is normally in winter time which is from May to August. During the winter the vegetation is sparse and prey is easier to spot, making it less tricky to hunt for much needed food. Dogs may move the den site if the area comes under threat from predators and unwanted visitors.
Reproduction is monopolised by the alpha female and male. The rest of the sub-ordinate adults engage in something called cooperative breeding. This means they take turns in looking after the young. The roles they play in raising the pups vary and include anything from den guards to hunters. The members of the pack who hunt will provide regurgitated chunks of meat to the mothers who stay with the pups until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
Wild dogs roam a vast territory and, on average, there are 10 – 15 dogs in a pack. With the lack of fences in the surrounding area it means the dogs are able to traverse a wide range.
This was an incredible sighting and quite a gift from the Sabi Sand Reserve. Thanks to ranger Bradley Chambers for the video and images!
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