The recent surge in wild dog sightings at Londolozi has sparked a wave of excitement among guides, trackers, and guests alike. With four different packs gracing the landscape, each sighting brings an electrifying thrill to safari experiences. Despite their nomadic nature and endangered status, these packs offer fleeting glimpses into their dynamic world of cooperative hunting and boundless energy. Among them, the Pack of Three has emerged as a source of optimism, seen more frequently and beginning to explore new territories.
![Ntsevu Pride, Wild Dogs And Rhino (6) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12140043/Ntsevu-pride-wild-dogs-and-rhino-6-RCB-scaled.jpg)
Over the past few weeks, Londolozi Guide and Tracker teams have been delighted to witness early attempts at mating between the alpha male and female within the Pack of Three as well as many occasions where they have been seen scent marking along their routes used throughout the property.
What we know about wild dogs is that they typically look to mate closer to the dry season (Between April and July) due to food sources being more concentrated around prominent sources of water. This makes it somewhat easier to hunt and sustain themselves during a demanding period of their lifecycles.
Meaning that they can redirect more of their energy towards reproductive activities as they will not need to travel as far in search of food. The gestation period of wild dogs is on average 70 days or just over 2 months. This period typically concludes with the denning period whereby, in the build-up to the alpha and beta females giving birth the pack typically becomes more sedentary, selecting a suitable den site for the alpha female to give birth to an average of 7-10 pups, but as many as up to 20 pups.
The denning period will also coincide with the end of the impala rut (breeding season) as several fatigued rams have been exhausted by the territorial defence and breeding stress, making them slightly easier targets for the wild dogs to hunt.
![Wild Dogs And Elephant [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12142017/Wild-Dogs-and-elephant-RCB-1598x1240.jpg)
The Pack of Three standoff against yet another one of Africa’s Big Five as they make the most of the early morning light in search of their next meal.
- Have they been successful in their mating attempts?
- Have they found the new nucleus of their home range on Londolozi?
- Have they been scouting for potential den sites during their movements around the reserve?
- Will they be able to cope with the pressure of the other packs that have been seen?
- Will we see the expansion of a new resident pack?
And most importantly…
Will they den on Londolozi?
We took forward to keeping a close eye on these mesmerizing canids and will be sure to keep you updated with what transpires over the next couple of months.
Reece, this will be a fascinating story to follow over the next several months. Things are always exciting at Londolozi. I hope they are successful as it would be wonderful to have a pack establish a home base on or close to Londolozi.
Agreeing with William Paynter here Reese!! Go Pack of Three!!!
Thanks Paul. We are feeling pretty optimistic.
Thank you William. Only time will tell! Fingers crossed!
How exciting that this pack of three have been seen around Londolozi that often recently. I keep my fingers crossed that they will den at Londolozi and guests and staff alike will have the pleasure of seeing young pups soon. It will certainly be a big challenge for the three with so many other carnivores around.
Thank you, Christa. We can only hope but for now we are just enjoying having these incredible animals in and around the property.
That sounds exciting!
Thank you, Barbara. Indeed it is!
We saw no Painted dogs when I visited Africa at a property near Londolozi. I’ve only seen them at the zoo. So, seeing the videos are a highlight for me.
Reading your update about this pack of three Reece, reminds me of the storied one-eared female and her mate that denned in Londolozi with their 10 pups a few years ago. It was exciting to follow their story as it will be to follow this three some.
Looking forward to future reports, and if fortunate, photos and videos of new pups.
Thank you, Denise. It truly resembles a story of hope. Fingers crossed for a successful couple months ahead for these magnificent creatures.
LOVE the wild dogs! So glad they seem to be sticking around and maybe have PUPS soon!
Thank you Anita. We are all hoping to welcome some new additions to the Londolozi family really soon!
Such good news Reece about the mating of this pack of three. Would be wonderful if they can have make there den on Londolozi ground and bring the pups up on Londolozi. Imagine all the excitement and enthusiasm that will bring to all the Rangers, Trackers and guests alike, having a pack of wild dogs Denning and raising their pups on Londolozi. Please keep us up to date on the where about of this pack.
Thank you Valmai. It would be an absolute dream. We are all holding thumbs!
Fingers crossed
Thank you Ian. We are hoping for the best!