Wild dogs can be quite tricky to get photos of because of the nature of their behaviour. When on the move they are fast and the last thing on your mind, as a guide, is trying to get a photo as you just try and focus on navigating the Land Rover to try and keep up with them. One particular afternoon a little while back a pack of wild dogs was found on our airstrip and I was quite excited to get there quickly as we would hopefully have some great views of them running and playing out in the open. The afternoon did not disappoint!
On arrival at the airstrip we could see another Land Rover parked mid way along with the pack all around them, running and playing just as we had hoped. But as we got closer they quickly took off after some impala that they had noticed further away. I quickly told my guests to hang on as we raced to catch up with them but they were too fast and disappeared out of sight into the thick bush. I switched off the Land Rover to listen for the unmistakable sound of a successful hunt but we couldn’t hear anything.
Ranger Greg Pingo had, in the meantime, raced around to the other side of the thickets where there was a big waterhole and as he got there he saw a young male impala come flying out of the bushes and, with limited options, decided that the waterhole was the only place he could go to get away from the pursuing wild dogs (the impala, not Greg).
Ranger Greg Pingo and his guests watch on as the pack of Wild Dogs mill around his car on the Londolozi airstrip.
Two of the pack stop right next to the car as they notice a herd of impala further along the airstrip.
I pulled up next to Greg at the waterhole and was greeted by the incredible sight of a pack of wild dogs at the water’s edge anxiously trying to see where the impala had gone. They had heard the splash but by this stage the impala had disappeared amongst the thick surface vegetation of the water. It was also at this point that we noticed a crocodile very quickly and silently swimming in to come and investigate the commotion. It was for this very reason that the wild dogs did not want to venture into the deep water to retrieve their quarry.
The crocodile couldn’t find what had made the splash at first until the impala started to move through the water and then we could only watch in horrified silence as it made a beeline towards the struggling antelope.
The wild dogs could only watch on helplessly as the impala was taken under water but still they waited in the hope that they might be able to win it back somehow. After about ten minutes the crocodile surfaced with the impala near the water’s edge and there were a few interesting moments as one or two dogs even waded into the shallows to see if they could nab the kill back. The crocodile clearly had the upper hand though and dragged it just out of their reach. The wild dogs eventually realised their attempts were futile and turned around to trot back up to the airstrip.
The sun had set at this stage and just as we were about to leave them they tore off again after more impala only this time they were successful. Once we were able to catch up with them the impala that they had caught was already being swiftly devoured in some thickets and with the light fading we decided to leave them. We went off to have a break and catch our breaths after what had been an afternoon of non-stop action.
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Wow! Incredible experience. Fantastic video capture.
The drive of a lifetime ?
Hi Ian, it most certainly was!
James, I remember how fierce the wild dogs are. Having witnessed an impala kill and the tearing into three pieces while about 6 on each piece went to work feeding. They are amazing. What a awesome video as life takes its course. Thanks for this one. BTW please email me as to how I might share my pictures and videos with you for possible inclusion into one of the daily blogs.
Hi Andrew and Daniel, wild dog kills can be very brutal to watch but one can take solace in the fact that it is very quick for the prey. You are more than welcome to share your pictures and videos. You can start by sending your photos to blog@londolozi.co.za. Thanks
in Flemish we say : “van de kant in de gracht” for the impala (from the side to the canal)
Last in Nxabega we saw a big croc catching a smaller one!
Hi Dina, that is a pretty rare thing to see! But then again you do have a habit of witnessing remarkable sightings on safari!
Mostly with you!
You can see the picture of the crocs on my instagram account , you are also in it with a story of our incredible safari together !
James – what a story – crocodile kills the impala that the wild dogs were chasing!
Brutal! Great footage, thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to be back soon.
Wow! We don’t like crocs because they have a sort of prehistoric look to them and they are tough to shoot. Congratulations on an excellent shot.
In 2015 (?) with Callum Gowar and Freddy Ngobeni we witnessed exactly the same thing minus the crocodile. After what seemed like a very long time with the empanadas die in and out of the water….one wild dog managed to catch her. Body dragged onto land 5 ft’ from our vehicle. We watched nature happening in horror and awe. Sadly the doe was pregnant and the dogs ate the fetus as well. I don’t have these photos on my phone but I believe it would show the same large waterhole.
Distressing, but that’s the way it is. Dogs and crocodiles and lions and – well, everybody – has to eat. And somehow I don’t think a campaign to convince either a wild dog or a crocodile of the benefits of a vegan diet would be successful…
James, That video is incredible! How many times have you seen that? We couldn’t help but feel sad for the Impala….
Hi Michael and Terri, I have seen Wild Dogs chase prey into water before but never seen a crocodile get involved like that! Was a very intense sighting that was for sure. Hope you are both well and see you soon now!
Unbelievable!!!!