About the Author

Jess Shillaw

Contributor

Jess was born in Kwazulu/Natal but grew up in Cape Town. Having an innate love for all things wild but getting to spend little time in the bush while growing up, she headed straight for the Lowveld after school. She completed a guiding ...

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14 Comments

on How The Wild Dog Den Really Made Me Feel

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Artur Gjoni
Explorer

Just awesome to see the pups, gotta love the wild dogs, a formidable predator, the unity of the clan makes them such great hunters, thanks for the update

Valmai Vorster
Master Tracker

Jess I am so happy for you that you saw all nine puppies and you saw them suckling. Your dream had come true. That experience you can save in your memory forever. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us, as we too could see the puppies now on video for the first time. Your experience you can tell over and over again and you will feel as if you are relieving the whole wonderful sighting all over again.

Francesca Doria
Master Tracker

Hi Jesse I once saw a documentary saga in Botswana on predators (I guess prey don’t have such a huge audience, that’s a pity). It was very harsh. During draught they started to kill other predators and being very aggressive even towards elephants. There’s a very stressful scene when wild dogs try to attack elephants it seems not only for water- and then two wild dog packs clash. It was a real drama! How many packs/ wild dogs could actually survive in Londolozi without being then reduced to lower numbers by their own cospecific-competitors? Thank you!

Michael and Terri Klauber
Guest contributor

Jess, thanks for sharing your personal experience. It is clear that your story is one of patience and passion!!! We are sure you will be keeping track of them for us!

Nicky Burnell
Explorer

I just loved sharing your excitement, Jess! My wild dog dream is yet to be fulfilled……

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

How wonderful, Jess, to have such an experience. I would love to see some wild dog cubs one day.

Linda From California
Senior Digital Ranger

Jess, I have a feeling you will be seeing many wonderful things from nature. She shared with you, her puppies. So glad that you had that feeling of anticipation filled.

Karin Webber
Explorer

Stunning Jess! One really feels like you are right there with you!

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

A once in a lifetime moment indeed

Cally Staniland
Master Tracker

Oh Jess, I was certainly there with you..I wept for joy seeing them appear out of their den and must have replayed the scene several times over. I was so in Awe and loved the two ear pack with all their ups and downs so with this year’s arrivals I felt like I was right there with you. I too have never seen pups appearing for the 1st time but am grateful that I have at least enjoyed seeing packs in the past. What an awesome thing to pick off yr bucket list 🙏💓… hopefully they find the missing three 🤞

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

I am so happy for you, seeing your first wild dog pups at their den. Your blog was written with such determination, frustration, passion, and finally joy in expressing your feelings that I was completely drawn into your experience. Hopefully now you will enjoy many more sightings!!

Carly M
Digital Tracker

Oh my goodness! They are insanely cute!

Kellie Whittam
Explorer

I’m very excited for you and green with envy at the same time! Thanks for sharing. I have been lucky enough to see wild dogs a number of times on various safaris, including one occasion where a dog was actually sniffing my shoe! I can’t imagine how I would react seeing pups!

Lisa Griffis
Explorer

Jess I share your passion since the dogs encompass all of my Big Five bucket list for safaris. Are any of the dogs at Londolozi equipped with radio collars? I hope to see them when I visit Londolozi, so keep an eye on them for me!

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