The Wild Dog Saga at Londolozi takes yet another unexpected turn. During a recent afternoon game drive, Ranger Nick and his guests enjoyed a sighting of rhinos after an earlier visit to the Toulon Pack’s den. Suddenly, they were surprised by the Toulon Pack’s seven wild dogs and two pups trotting right past the vehicle and the rhinos, heading from the old den to the new one.
The following morning, we were out at the crack of dawn heading to the new den to see how things had unfolded. Despite dodging a swarm of bees, we were thrilled to find all three pups reunited. Only the alpha female and the pups were present when we arrived, as the rest of the adults were out hunting. So, we settled in and waited for their return.
Before long, the adults came back from a successful hunt, and we witnessed the wild dogs excitedly charging around the vehicle and den, feeding and caring for the pups and alpha female.
So where does this leave the pack of three? They’ve still been visiting the den occasionally to care for the pups. And on a recent morning, before the pups were moved, our camera traps captured a pretty harrowing encounter…
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Thanks for the update, Sean. Those camera traps by the den have been worth their weight in gold!
They really have. Without them we would have missed so much.
Great video Sean. Thanks for the update on the wild dogs.
Thank you so much, William.
Wow. Thanks Sean for the update. Looks like monitoring the dogs has become a full time job. For me, this is a happy-sad moment. I am happy for the health of the pups but also sad the pack of 3 will not be able to grow. But with one male injured, the ability of the rest to care for him and feed the pups is super challenging. It would be interesting to know if the alpha female of the Toulen pack is barren or not?
It certainly feels like a full time job. I agree, it is a happy-sad moment. I don’t think the alpha female is barren, but all we know is that she hasn’t had pups for the last two years.
What’s interesting here is how quickly the Toulon pack were able to imprint themselves onto the pups of the Pack of 3. Once they discovered the den with pups, it seemed they were able to coax the first two out of the den to move to their den in just a matter of weeks. I’m guessing that due to the injured member of the natal pack, the remaining two dogs were struggling to hunt. With less prey to consume for themselves, the injured dog and three pups, it was the perfect opportunity for the Toulon pack to take over. In this case, there is strength in numbers, plus the pups were young enough to accept adoption. Given their age, their primary want was for food and protection. It seems like good news for the pups’ survival, but poignant for the Pack of 3. It’s time for them to heal and move on…..
I think it is good news all round, the pups have a better chance of survival and the Pack of 3 have less strain on them having to provide for more mouths. However, it means that it will take another whole year until they can hopefully, try increase the numbers in in the pack.
Hi Sean, I am surprised to see that all three pups are back together again. So the Toulan pack went back and kidnapped the other two pups as well. Well they are better off with the Toulan Pack as there are more dogs to bring in food for the pups. Shame now I wonder what will become of the pack of three, one male is already hurt, so that does not look very promising for the pack of three.
It doesn’t look promising for the pack of three but I am sure they will recover and in time hopefully have another litter of pups.
I’m relieved that for now at least, the injured male has survived and none of the pack of three were lost during the altercation. His leg looks badly atrophied, but I remain hopeful he’ll make a full recovery. The pups seem to be adjusting well to their new family, and I’m glad to see how much they’ve grown.
It is a relief that they have all survived. The injured male’s leg haas atrophied and he doesn’t appear to be putting any weight on it at all, so I wonder what level of damage has happened to it.
Great video, Sean.
What really amazes me, is the fact that the pack of 7 have obviously completely taken over or adopted those pups. And the pack of 3 has indeed a very hard time with so much competition from other packs and apart from that hyenas, lions a.s.o as well.
Last year I also visited Tswalu. And they have a pack of three there as well, two of them also a bit handicapped. They succeeded in raising 12 puppies to adulthood. Which is indeed a huge achievement for only three dogs. I saw them on a kill when the puppies were only about 6 months old and 7 months later when they were fully grown up; still all twelve in very good condition.
So, I guess, the pack of three at Londolozi would also have been able to raise these three pups. However, the difference is in the number of other packs that roam the area. In Tswalu they have competition, however not from other dogs.
But there still remains the question, why do the seven steal or adopt pups from a different pack and don’t have their own pups? Very interesting behavior indeed.
Thank you so much, Christa. It is very interesting behaviour. There are so many factors at play here and I think it is going to keep us guessing for a while longer.
Thank you for the update Sean! What drama!
The drama continues at the wild dog den.
So interesting these dynamics. Wonder why the third pup stayed behind so long and why the mom left them so young…maybe to help hunt since they have the injured one? Glad you all are keeping an eye on them! THEY ARE SO CUTE!!!!
The wild dog pups are so cute. This whole situation has left us with so many questions.
We have been fortunate to be at Londolozi for a wild dog siting and now, hopefully, when we return on Wednesday we’ll get a second opportunity. Great reporting Sean.
I remain amazed at how quickly the pups grow.
Hopefully, you will get to see this set of pups at this den when you get here. They grow so quickly.
Such an incredible update Sean! The whole situation with the Pack of Three and the Toulon Pack is insane, and hopefully the Pack of Three realize that it is time to move on before another altercation. What a gift to see all of this, and thanks as always for keeping us abreast of all that is going on at Londolozi
Thank you so much, Paul. You are most welcome, I am glad I have been able to follow the story so closely and as a result share everything with you online.