Hi folks,
I was on my way to the south of the conservancy the other day, when I came across the Batanai Pack. This is one of our largest packs at the moment – 18 dogs in total – and it was great to see them. They had clearly been hunting and were on their way for a drink and a cool-off in a nearby waterhole.
They enjoyed a rest in the cool mud, the pups playing about a bit, and then moved off to flop down in the shade a little way off. It’s always nice to see them having a mud bath, but it doesn’t make for particularly useful ID photos when they are all covered in mud…..!
Rosemary
3 Comments
Nice one!
A magic moment of watching, I am sure. Quite unlike the horrors I witnessed with Dr. Markus Hofmeyr in Madikwe in1997 when a rabies outbreak destroyed a pack and one really sick yearling female ate all the pups (12 of them!). I wrote about it in my 2008 book, “The Trouble With Lions”, but I think it has not surfaced in southern Africa
It would be amazing to see so many wild dogs at the same time. Let’s hope my wish will come true one day.
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your comment. I have also witnessed a whole breeding pack of wild dogs dying of rabies. It was pretty horrific but not as bad as your experience by the sound of things. Shame, it’s a terrible disease. Your book sounds fascinating – I will keep a look out for it. I’m sure it will be available in the UK at some stage, so I can always get it from family there.
Cheers,
Rosemary