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Sean Zeederberg

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As a young boy growing up on an agricultural farm in Zimbabwe, Sean spent every opportunity entertaining himself outdoors, camping in the local nature reserve and learning about all facets of the natural world. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental ...

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36 Comments

on The Tragic Turn of the Pack of Three

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Senior Digital Ranger

How heartbreaking, I wish the rangers could throw some food to them when there in bad shape and injured. At least then it gives a dying species a bit more of a chance to survive and re populate

This is definitely tragic news to read! After their pups had been stolen away, I had hoped they would move on to another location, let the injured leg of the one male heal and put the past behind them. But the wilderness often has other plans – sometimes positive and many times heartbreaking, such as the loss of the female in this pack and previously, the loss of the Plaque Rock female and her cub. We can’t help but project unfairness, but nature gives and takes without reason. I do find myself rooting for these two remaining males so we’ll wait for the next chapter of this story.

It is such tragic news but it is the harsh realities of life in the wild.

Hi Sean, my stomach wrenched when I saw the pictures of the Toulon pack finishing off a wild dog. Then I read the full story. Wild dogs are among the rare species by which cannibalism is commonplace. I had expected the worst fate for the pack of three. Poor mother ,she lost her cubs and perhaps tried to get them back. Who knows how far the biological link between mother and offspring lasts. The two surviving male may only hope to get a female, which presumably comes from the Toulon pack… as the dominant female is infertile, is there any other female that could join them, or should they wait for … their daughter? The genetic situation of these pack is not the best. There should be a nomadic female on arrival to save the situation.

Hi Francesca, so that picture of the wild dogs feeding was in fact them feeding on an impala but was used to evoke the emotion around the female being killed. I think that after the Toulon pack killed the female they left it and a few hyenas ended up eating the body.

We are unsure if the alpha female in the Toulon Pack is infertile, all we know is that she did not have a litter in 2023 and 2024. Within the Toulon Pack there are 6 females and 1 male so I am sure that one of them will hopefully take over and have a litter of her own at some point.

Senior Digital Ranger

What highs and lows there have been this year with the wild dogs on Londolozi. A very gripping story.

It really has been a rollercoaster ride following the wild dogs this year.

So sorry to hear of this latest and dark turn for this brave little Pack of Three, now Two, Sean. I wish the best outcome for these gents, and hopefully they can find a female(s), regroup, and continue to persevere. Long may they run!

It was such a tragic turn of events. Hopefully, these two remaining males are able to survive.

If the two remaining dogs show the same level of courage and determination as the Tsala female they will thrive!

I agree with you. Hopefully, they can meet up with another pack of females and procreate.

It is such a tragic turn of events for this pack. I hope that the remaining two males can survive.

Hi Sean, this is devastating news that the female of three pack has been killed by the Toulan Pack. That leaves the two males left, and where do they go from there. Nature can be so cruel at times and yes just the strongest survive. They have a strong will to keep going on and let’s hope and pray that they can get a pack of wild dogs that will except them, or that they meet up with a few females.

It is devastating news. I hope they can find another pack of females.

Appreciate the update even tho devastating 🙁 Curious if the pups were involved in the attack?

I dont think the pups would have been involved. I am sure it would have just been the adults.

Pups, sorry. I wish you will find the Three Rivers female and her adorable cub!

Thank you, I eventually go to see them.

This is really heartbreaking news. These dogs are admirably tough, but fate has been cruel to them. indeed. Maybe they will recover from this fate and find some females to bond with. I wish them good luck and maybe we will get better news in a few weeks time.
Thanks for this update on their fate though it is so sad.

It is a sad update, but hopefully, the males will find another pack of females to join up with.

Thank you for sharing the sad news.i really was wondering about their fate.It was such a joy for our group to see the pack of three when we were visiting. We were particularly thrilled to see the pups in their den. All this reinforces the delicate concept of the balance of life. . I shall treasure the photos I have of the pack of three in their more fortunate days.

It was such a tragic twist for the pack of three. I am so glad you got some photos of them when life seemed a bit better for them. It really is a delicate balance of life out here.

Dear Sean, thats very sad to hear, but I hope the two males have a chance to survive and hopefully find females, so the pack story will be going on.

I also hope the two males manage to survive.

💔 Just heartbreaking
But knowing her pups are growing and safe is some comfort. Do you think she was killed because the Toulon pak has her pups? Could she have been a threat to them?
Life in the wild always keeps you wondering

I think she was killed as it was just the Toulon Pack reducing competition.

Very sad news Sean. I hope the two surviving males will be able to meet up with breakaway dogs in the future.

Let’s hope that they are able to meet up with a group of females and start another pack.

Senior Digital Ranger

Heartbreaking news indeed. I hope the males can survive.

I hope they are able to survive.

Master Tracker

So sad

Sean, thank you for the update. This saga has a definite following. You and the rangers have written descriptive narratives on wild dog behavior and is appreciated.

I am struck by the similarity between wild dogs and wolfs in terms of their social behavior. This latest chapter is wrenching to say the least!

Even though I already knew what had happened, this was still so heartbreaking to read. I’m sad for the female, the remaining males, and the species in general. They have it hard enough without killing each other off, but of course, that’s now how nature works. Let’s hope her legacy lives on in the survival of her pups, and that the two males find some rouge females to team up with.

They really do have it tough. We will try and keep a tabs on where they go and what they get up to.

I have witnessed three generations of the Tsala Pride. Nothing demonstrates the value of determination under stress better than history of the Tsala female.

It is a remarkable story of resilience and determination. We hope that she is successful with these cubs.

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