Often a great sighting can unfold by just sitting in silence and observing the animals we see every day. On this particular morning we were observing a journey of giraffes as they made their way along the Marula crest, with a beautiful sunrise in the background. I noticed that tracker Joy Mathebula had stopped watching the giraffe and was suddenly listening intently. He had heard a noise somewhere in the distance but he wasn’t quite what it was. Curious, we decided to drive to where we thought the noise was coming from. At that moment we heard a squeal. We both looked at each other and said, “Wild dogs!” I put my foot down on the accelerator…
Two young giraffe roam the open crests with the bare marula trees setting the scene of a crisp chill in the air as the sun rises in the morning, just before the excitement began.
It was only a few minutes later that suddenly, 50 meters to the right of my vehicle, a wild dog ran past. I shifted into 2nd gear to keep up with him and he led us straight to a dead impala that was 60 percent finished. Next we saw a Hyena coming towards us as well. The wild dog and hyena started to fight over the kill. In a moment a second wild dog arrived and not long after that, a second hyena too. The battle ensued between the two species, each animal desperate for the remains of the carcass:
The Hyenas managed to dominate and keep the kill. This was until another five wild dogs arrived and the real battle began. We had both species running in circles around the Land Rover, with me and my guests not knowing which way to look. The noise was unbelievably loud and aggressive. The full pack of wild dogs won, chasing the hyenas off, and they finished what remained of the impala, leaving only the head.
The pack moved off, probably in pursuit of more prey, as some of them were still hungry. The stubborn and persistent hyenas stuck around and eventually we watched as they finished any scraps that had been left behind.
Persistence pays off as this young hyena eventually salvaged some scraps.
It took me quite a while to start the vehicle again; I sat speechless for quite awhile. I looked back at my guests and rather enjoyed the looks of disbelief on all of their faces.
We had been in the middle of a clash between two of Africa fiercest predators and had seen just how aggressive both can be when food is at stake!
Great video. This is definitely a sighting that is on my bucket list.
Thank You Marinda
Amazing story, it seems you are seeing an awful lot of wild dogs lately
Thank you Ian, yes we have been seeing a pack of 7 wilddog recently.
Dean, great article. I have only seen wild dogs once, but not at Londolozi, it was in the Serengeti. Maybe next time we come (2020) they will still be resident!
Thank you. Lets hope so Joan.
They had just made a kill and were devouring it as we arrived, quite a sight
An experience for all the senses I’m sure! Makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about it.
Felt exactly the same.
Dean, Wow! Took us a couple minutes to process the video and we weren’t even there! The Hyena squeals are so crazy!
Definitely noises that one never forgets.
What a sighting! Love the video!
Glad you enjoyed Mary
Wow! That was incredible. The video certainly illustrated the lack of love between these two predators. When it comes down to who claims the win, it seems to be all about the numbers- which species has the most warriors!! Great storytelling Dean.
Thank you so much Denise. Glad you enjoyed.
Dean, we were there in September 2018. I wondered if the cheetah with bad eye has raised her cubs – they were already full grown when we were there (I think).
Hi Joan,
The adult female was unfortunately killed north of Londolozi. Both sub-adults were subsequently seen on Londolozi after that. They were split after an attack on the male by a leopard to the south of us, and disappeared shortly after that. We haven’t seen them for awhile but they may well be fine…
Thank you so much for the information
Wow Dean … front row seats to a heavy weight fight! Thank goodness they’re content to run around the vehicle rather than over it!!!
Best seats in the house.
What a scene! I can’t imagine the thrill sitting literally in the middle of that noisy fight! Loved the nipping and noises, but could figure out who was making those sounds…..the hyenas or the wild dogs?
Hi Joanne, both were. The higher pitched squeals are the Wilddog.
Those nips on the rear of hyenas by the wild dogs must be pretty painful. No wonder the hyenas go around in a sitting posture so often! Such an exciting video and article, Dean. Thank you! Wendy M
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment.
Phew how amazing that was! It’s wonderful to watch the action between those two predators as hyenas are relentless & won’t give up, neither will the dogs, until the lucky one wins!!! Glad it was the dogs in this case. 😁
Relentless is a great word to use. Glad you enjoyed.
Wow that was an awesome sighting thank you for video & pictures 😁