Sometimes, when you least expect it, something special happens, it’s cliché – I know. Often, it’s not when you’re actively searching for those miraculous sightings, but rather, when you’re simply enjoying the journey, that something extraordinary appears around the next bend.
As I am sure you have read, there is a pack of three wild dogs denning in the southwestern parts of the reserve, so whenever we venture into that area there is always a slight glimmer of hope that we might find the males out and about on a hunt. We rounded the corner as the sun began to set, and my thoughts filled with the idea of stopping for a gin and tonic to celebrate another splendid day on safari. As the front of the Land Rover crested the bank of the waterhole, we witnessed a thrilling scene unfold. Two African wild dogs darted past, their eyes locked on an unfortunate impala they had isolated from the herd and driven into the water.
A couple of months back, we had experienced a similar encounter. Though not quite as frantic as this one, it involved a comparable scenario where wild dogs had surrounded an impala in the water, leaving it with absolutely no escape route. The pack spent hours strategizing how to reach their prey in the shallow water. Yet, despite their efforts, they were unwilling to test the waters for potential dangers like hippos or lurking crocodiles.
A grumpy hippo wards off the pack of wild dogs, preventing them from getting too close to the water’s edge.
This crocodile came to the edge of the watering hole to finish off its share of an impala that had been seemingly chased into the water by a pack of wild dogs.
With this past sighting freshly in my memory, I immediately assumed today would be no different. I explained to my guests that the wild dogs might prance around the water’s edge for a few minutes hoping the impala would make its way to the water’s edge. Or maybe the unfortunate impala would likely end up drowning, and eventually, the hungry predators would lose interest and carry on with their evening. Oh, but how wrong I was. It just goes to show that out in the wild one can never say never…
Just as I imagined the sighting wouldn’t get any better, the slightly larger of the two wild dogs leapt forward into the water and began wading toward the impala. Freddy, our guests, and I could not believe our eyes. What were we about to witness? I’ll let the video below do the explaining…
These two male wild dogs have an interesting role to play this time of year. They are part of a pack of three, with the missing member being the female who is currently denning and protecting her young pups within the confines of their den. While we are still unsure of how many pups this pack is raising, as the den remains zoned (closed to viewing by game drive vehicles due to the sensitivity of the species during the initial denning period), these two males have the sole responsibility of making kills, consuming the meat, and returning to the den to regurgitate and feed not only the pups but also the female, who is directly nursing and caring for the puppies herself. To put it simply, without each other none of them will manage to survive. On a side note – we are extremely excited about the upcoming weeks as we prepare to open and view this wild dog den. We can’t wait to share it with you.
A previous litter of Wild Dogs pups on Londolozi
I often try to find lessons from nature and the experiences we are fortunate enough to witness. One lesson learned on this occasion was that by simply ‘taking it slow’ and appreciating each moment, you can find yourself in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
That was incredible. It was opened in about 15 seconds.
So quickly they opened up the impala to start eating. It is amazing to see this footage, as you say Dan, this is a once in a life time viewing. I felt sorry for the impala, but that is raw nature and out in the bush anything can happen at any given time. At least the female and pups will not go hungry.
What an amazing sighting. So excited to see the wild dogs, Denning on Londolozi. Are these 3, a breakaway group? Where is the main pack?
Incredible video, thanks for sharing
Dan, what an amazing video of the wild dog kill in the water. Thanks for sharing this unique video.
What an incredible experience. Wild dogs really surprise us all the time. Poor Impala, there was no escape from this hunter.
What an amazing sight to witness.
Now that’s a once in a lifetime sighting – unbelievable how fast it went down whilst surprisingly quiet.