A small pack of five African Wild dogs were seen on one afternoon game drive this week! They were spotted shortly after dusk, moving along one of our roads used for game drives. This was definitely a rare sighting and our guests were thrilled! The tracks of the Wild dogs were followed up the next morning and it was clear that they had crossed over onto a neighbouring property that night.

African Wild Dogs usually live in packs of about 10 to 15 animals with a male or a female as a leader. They are mainly diurnal and are active during the early mornings and late afternoon when they range over large areas in search of food. They only feed on fresh meat, mainly impala but also Blue wildebeest. African Wild Dogs hunt in groups, chasing their prey until it is exhausted and is eventually torn apart while still on the hoof.

African Wild Dogs are endangered animals, mainly due to limited habitat availability and large scale prosecution in the past. Only about 150 animals survive at present in the Kruger National park area and adjacent game reserves.

Images courtesy of Edwin Pierce, Lion Sands Ecologist