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A client travelled on our 'Botswana's Desert & Delta (Mammals)' holiday and submitted this entry to our writing competition.
African Wild Dog by Grant Atkinson
We left camp at the crack of dawn, bouncing along in our Land Cruiser, wondering what the day would bring. Before we had travelled far, someone spotted a male Leopard, pacing, with great purpose, through the bushes close to the track. As we set off in pursuit, our guide heard Wild Dogs barking in the distance, off in the direction the leopard was taking. We soon came across a solitary African Wild (Hunting) Dog, resting on the plain. Close by, under bushes and trees, 11 young dogs were sprawled about. Our guide explained they were hiding up, waiting for the adults to return and lead them back to a kill as soon as they had been successful. They all remained vigilant as other predators following the hunt, especially a Leopard, would take a young dog if given the chance.
We waited quietly hoping a drama would unfurl. Suddenly four adult Wild Dogs burst onto the scene and were greeted by all the company with a series of barks and whelps. The alpha male and female had returned. Their muzzles were un-blooded and there was no sign of a kill. Within minutes the whole pack set off again, this time with the adults scouting out in front. They travelled fast, with a seemingly light, effortless gait. They followed the edge of the woodland, peering in amongst the trees for game. We set off in close pursuit. The pace quickened and we found ourselves crashing through the scrub straining to see where the individual dogs were.
The excitement of the chase was felt by all. The engine droned, barking rang out and branches cracked as we sped through the undergrowth. Then suddenly it all went quiet again. We had lost contact with the pack. We retraced out steps a short distance and started searching. Shortly, a lone adult hunting dog came briefly into view and then ran off back into the woodland. We followed and soon heard a commotion of excited and barking dogs. As we approached it was clear they had made a kill. There amongst the scrub at the base of a tree, a female Impala lay dead. A frenzy of young dogs were dispatching the carcass with a ruthless efficiency. The adult held back, blooded and panting, keeping watch as their offspring took their fill. Their muzzles were covered in blood. This contrasted sharply with their perfect ivory white teeth revealed in a strange sardonic smile. They maintained their protective vigil, least the spoil might be stolen.
Finally the youngsters began to peel off and rest on the woodland floor, with their bellies swollen and replete. Only when the cubs had taken their fill, did the adults have their share. The head, neck and long bones were all they had for their efforts. There was nothing left for the Leopard if it had kept up with the hunt, and the pack had remained safe in the turmoil of the chase. ‘Botswana’s Desert & Delta’. October 24th 2012. We had witnessed an amazing event played out by one of Africa’s most endangered species. Its dramatic savagery somehow justified and right in this environment.
Read more about our 'Botswana's Desert & Delta (Mammals)' holiday.