A pack of wild dogs were found in the morning, close to a pan. Hoping that they were still there resting while it was still hot, we set out that afternoon and headed straight for the pan. Luckily for us they were still there, and we were in for a fantastic sighting! At first the pack was lying about, not doing much. We waited, hoping for them to get up. We didn’t know at the time that that patience was going to pay off more than we could ever have imagined.
What followed was much time spent watching the wild dogs playing in the pan, with water splashing everywhere, bonding amongst the pack and some incredible sounds as they all greeted one another. They then set off on to hunt, their stomachs clearly empty. Tracker Ray Mabilane, our guests and I were already grinning from ear to ear after watching their antics. I decided in that moment that it was one of my favourite sightings of wild dog… but we hadn’t seen anything yet!
A first for me; seeing wild dogs playing around in a pan. As the adults slowing woke up, the pups decided to get paying, eventually resulting in the entire pack cooling off and providing an unbelievable sighting.
A couple of hundred meters had been covered and after missing a scrub hare and with nightfall slowing creeping in, we thought the chances of any more hunting action were slim to none. A few minutes later though, the dogs spotted a herd of wildebeest and immediately changed course towards them. I still get goosebumps at the thought of what the next hour entailed.
Wildebeest mothers protect their calves against wild dogs by forming a wall between them and the pack. The crazy noises that echoed from crest to crest of Londolozi could be heard from miles away. Stalemate. Neither predator nor prey was going to give up the fight in the wild tonight.
Then, out of nowhere two zebra came charging in chasing some of the wild dogs away. They continued to help the wildebeest and eventually after night had fallen and the wild dogs had slowly given up, with wildebeest still huddled in an unbreakable wall, everything calmed down. The wild dogs were going to have to look for food elsewhere.
It was a tough ordeal to watch but it showed the rawness of nature at its finest. We all went to bed, struggling to fall asleep as the unknown kept us awake. What had happened in the darkness of the night?
A small herd of wildebeest was silhouetted against the rising sun as they descended down from the open crest near the airstrip after an eventful night.
The next morning, we set out on drive and about 400 meters from where we had seen this incredible sighting, we saw five wildebeest and two calves running across the airstrip. Now, there is no guarantee that it was that same herd but the composition was identical from what we could tell, and it was enough to give us peace of mind that they had all survived.
Watching a predator hunt is one of the most thrilling experiences in the bush but it can also provide you with a spectrum of conflicting emotions. Excitement, sorrow, joy, yet most of all grateful to have been a part of this wilderness in its truest form. All of which we felt that day and I am sure we will continue to do so as the bush just keeps providing such amazing spectacles!
WOW, there is such a thrille to watch the wild dogs whether at play or on the hunt. We had the privilege of watching a pack of 21 last week when we were at Londolozi. Victoria
You were extremely lucky, not a common sighting Victoria. Very glad you got to see them.
Dean what great videos, I watched them all!
Glad you enjoyed Joan
Hauntingly familiar scene for us from a trip to Botswana in 2015. We observed a similar noisy standoff between wild dogs and a herd of wildebeest. Each group took turns charging the other. The dogs suddenly left the scene. Incredible!
Amazing how they just decide to stop. Sounds like a great sighting Vin.
Great post; excellent video and description. I would have bet on the dogs, but sometimes the unexpected happens. Whew
Thank you Jim, me too but the unexpected is the best.
these little calfs must have gone crazy !
Panic would have been a term I would have used.
Wow that’s seriously incredible and something I’ve never heard of. Absolutely amazing!
Thanks Rich, appreciate the comment. Glad you enjoyed.
Impressive videos! I’m amazed at the size of the pack and wonder why they didn’t attack the wildebeests en masse! It seems that that many could have overwhelmed them. Kudos to the zebras!
Its an incredible pack to watch, the pups are still fairly young to be involved in the hunt Mary Beth, so it was only the adults really participating.
What an amazing and rare sight, especially for a one time visitor to Londolozi and South Africa from California. Hoping to return one day.
Glad you enjoyed Doug, hope to see you again too.
Great footage! It’s amazing how the babies maneuver themselves so well to not get run over or tripped up by the parents focused on protecting them. Love the story that the zebras came in to save the day! I adore wild dogs and in this case appreciate the happy ending very much!
Instinct is incredible out in nature. Glad you enjoyed Johanna.
sho! what a sighting!
WOW that is a first for me! Ellies yes but not Wildies! Thanks for posting!
Glad you liked it Earline
Nice blog Dean. You all had an adrenaline rush on that drive. How interesting that the zebra saved the day for the wildies. I love to watch the antics of the wild dogs – they really do work as a team. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you Leonie, appreciate the comment
Great stuff as usual.
Thank you
Painted Wolves ,I do prefer this, as I am always a wolf fan. They are just amazing
Thanks so much for taking us along on this exciting experience you all witnessed. The videos really enhanced the moments you spent watching predators against prey. Relieved to learn the distraction of the zebras gave the wildebeest calves another day to live. Whew, now I can relax.
Thank you for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the post and videos Denise.
Unbelievable!!!