Stopping for a coffee during a morning game drive is always great, especially on a chilly winter morning. During this quality time off the vehicle and in the comfort of the bushveld, guests, as well as guides and trackers, share their past wildlife stories with each other. Just the other day, after another exciting game drive, we parked our vehicle under a big Natal mahogany tree for a break. As the coffee began to brew and its sweet aroma filled the cool air, a question was asked of my tracker, Joy, “What is your favourite sighting?”
Tracker Joy Mathebula enjoying a warm cup of coffee.
Joy’s response was simple. “Any sighting where there is a pack of wild dogs and hyenas interacting”
Joy is very good at mimicking and reenacting the sounds made by wild dogs and hyenas as they fight over a carcass. This can be very entertaining to watch, and much to the delight of the guests, he will continue to make the amusing noises until we are all in fits of laughter.
After discussing the memorable sightings Joy and I have witnessed over the past three years between these two fascinating predators, one such sighting between the infamous hyenas and the wild dogs stands out for me. It occurred about a month ago, and I’m excited to share the story along with some pictures with you today.
We set off before sunrise looking for a pack of wild dogs. Excitedly, we discovered a pack of twelve close to camp near the Londolozi airstrip. We spent about 20 minutes watching them as they slowly started getting active. A pack of wild dogs usually start hunting early in the morning to benefit from the cooler weather. These highly energetic carnivores need to hunt every day to sustain their high metabolism.
The pack playfully chased a wildebeest in the early morning. Although wild dogs have been known to hunt prey several times bigger than themselves. A healthy full-grown wildebeest is far too strong and quick for the pack.
As the wild dogs got up and began moving along the airstrip, a herd of wildebeest was walking across the tarmac about 100 meters away. In a matter of seconds, the pack noticed the herd and picked up the pace to chase them down. Adult wildebeest are much larger than a wild dog and are not a common target; wild dogs prefer smaller antelope such as impala.
We enjoyed watching the dogs make a few false attempts at the wildebeest and play around in the open clearings around the airstrip. But once the wildebeest showed no real sign of falling prey to the dogs, they lost interest in this option of a hunt and moved off into a thicket. That’s when we knew the real hunt was on.
We looped around the thicket and drove with speed to try to keep up with the pack. This is always an exhilarating experience and a moment on the game drive that I always look forward to. However, on this occasion, we could not keep up, and they disappeared. After thirty minutes of trying to track them down on many different roads in the reserve, we suspected that the pack may have moved into an inaccessible section of the river. Despair!
But then, to our relief, we received a message on the radio that Tracker Sersant, who was on foot tracking a female leopard in the area, had found the dogs killing a wildebeest calf! We raced across to the clearing where all the action unfolded before our eyes.
A few members of the pack watch on as several hyenas dive into a feeding frenzy. The Wild Dogs managed to get a small portion of the carcass before the Hyenas heard the commotion and arrived to steal the kill. The noise was incredible. Hyenas were cackling and the dogs were hooing in order to regroup.
The bloodied faces of the Painted Dogs look somewhat disappointed as they watch their catch get consumed by the clan of hyenas. This is very common behaviour by Hyena’s. They have a very acute sense of hearing and are the ultimate opportunists. We have experienced several situations where Painted dogs have made a kill and then to have it stolen by hyenas.
Two Hooded Vultures swooped down a few moments later. There was action everywhere we looked!
As the Hyenas finished off the carcass, the Painted Dogs and Vultures could only sit and watch from a distance. The Hyenas ate incredibly quickly and finished just about every part of the wildebeest calf including the bones.
It was an amazing experience to witness another incredible African Painted Dog sighting at Londolozi. The sight, sound and even the smell of the interaction between these two predators will be remembered for a while.
Witnessing such an intense encounter between African Painted Dogs and a Clan of Hyenas was truly unforgettable. The thrill of the chase, the unexpected turns, the sounds and the sheer unpredictability of nature made this experience stand out among the many memorable sightings we’ve had.
wow. amazing experience!!! Great photography too!!!!
Thanks Mark!
Nick, thanks for sharing this encounter. The pictures and video were superb. While hard to watch the death of an animal it is the life of another in the bush.
Thanks William. While the footage can be shocking and a tough watch – it truly is amazing to capture these moments and Sersant did it well.
Wow Nick, what a wild and wonderful encounter! I hope to visit Londolozi some day, and wild dogs are at the top of my list!!
It really was wild, Paul. We look forward to having you and exploring the Reserve for those Wild Dogs one day…
I will never understand the mad rushes to see kills. I know it is a necessary part of nature but I try to avoid the actual killing views – and do not find them entertaining. And a calf!
Hi Linda, The observing of kills in the wild is more of a chance than anything else. The mad rush is in the thrill of keeping up with the Wild dogs which can move around incredibly quickly. As for their diet, which is highly carnivorous, there is a higher chance of seeing them kill as they need to feed twice a day.
Wow Nick the sounds that came out there is incredible. Hyenas just take over the kill and within minutes there was nothing left. I always feel sorry for the predator that made the kill, just to loose it to the hyenas. Shame the painted dogs will have to hunt again and this time I hope the greedy hyenas don’t come and eat their kill. It looks to me Joy has been in the bush much too long, and he knows all sounds and even mimic the sounds. Well done Joy!!!
The sounds are amazing! Thanks for the comment Valmai. Joy loves the Hyenas and so we always have a big discussion as to who deserves the meal!
Terrific reporting of one of your most memorable sightings Nick, especially adding that impressive video. This sighting truly illustrates the opportunistic nature of hyenas regardless of the predator victor.
A truly memorable sighting, this pack of wild dogs versus hyenas and vultures as well.
It is really amazing how fast the hyenas have devoured their prey including the bones.
Their ability to eat everything and at a scary speed will always amaze me Christa!
Oh goodness, I knew wild dogs kill their prey by tearing them apart alive, but I expected the poor calf to die much quicker. I couldn’t finish it after hearing its distress calls continue for so long.
Hi Chelsea – I’m sorry that the footage alarmed you. Wild Dogs are highly carnivorous predators and in order to kill and consume their prey before having it stolen by Hyenas, they need to do it quickly.
Wow Nick, incredible sighting and incredible footage and photography! Such savagery. GREAT photo of Joy, I miss his dog/hyena show! Hope you are well, hello to you and Joy. We are good here, just returned from 3 weeks in Japan. All the best, Rob
Hey Rob! thanks for the comment. It was a really action packed morning with the wild dogs and Hyenas !
So thrilled you guys had a great trip to Japan. Your pictures look amazing.
Warm regards to you and Hillary