Mark Winckler sent this tense footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it at an undisclosed location in the Kalahari Desert.
Trouble brewing
We join the action somewhere in the red sands of the Kalahari Desert. Mark has stumbled upon a tense situation.
From a distance, we see a pack of African wild dogs harassing a pair of antelopes. Considering the dogs’ reputation for ruthless hunting efficiency, the antelope are in real trouble.
Surrounded
As Mark zooms in, we realise that the stakes are higher than initially thought. Standing rump-to-rump, a mother gemsbok and her calf are surrounded by the large pack of dogs.
Meanwhile, the dogs chatter excitedly, hoping to sow panic in the cornered antelopes. As you can see, the gemsbok each has a pair of sharp horns. Therefore, if the dogs can get them to run, they’ll be able to attack the exposed hindquarters.
Knowing your strengths
However, the mother oryx seems to be wise to their strategy. Accordingly, she and her calf instinctively stand back-to-back, presenting their horns to the baying dogs.
As for the dogs, they know their best chance of success lies in distraction. While one dog taunts the mother, three others gather around her calf.
Subsequently, the mother notices the mounting danger her offspring faces. In response, she lowers her deadly horns, turns and slashes at the threatening trio.
However, the dogs are nimble, easily evading her onslaught. Meanwhile, the calf diligently holds its head low to defend itself.
Defensive integrity
For the antelope to survive, a lot will depend on the integrity of their defensive strategy. As such, no sooner has she repelled their attackers than the pair resumes their protective formation.
Additionally, they use the bush to the right to limit the dogs’ angles of attack. Heavily outnumbered, they must use everything at their disposal to survive.
Relative energy consumption
Also, they need to conserve their energy. Wild dogs have incredible stamina and are known to harass prey for extended periods.
To counter this, the oryx limit their movements, only turning enough to keep the dogs at horn’s length. By contrast, the dogs are doing a lot of running around with no reward.
Mounting frustration
As the battle of wits draws on, it is the dogs that begin to show the first signs of frustration. Unable to breach the defenses, one of the dogs lies down, as if taunting the calf to charge away from its mother.
Wisely, however, the calf does not take the bait.
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Measured response
When that fails, the dogs continue their taunting calls as alternating members of the pack look for an opening to exploit. In response, the adult oryx bides her time, occasionally charging towards the dogs to keep them on their toes.
She is reminding them that she won’t go down without a fight, and still has plenty of energy in reserve.
Outcome unknown
Consequently, the dogs begin to tire, with some of them seemingly losing interest in the hunt. For predators, especially those like wild dogs with a high metabolism, there is only so much energy they can afford to expend.
Unfortunately, the video ends before the outcome becomes known. Given their spirited defence, we hope mother and calf escaped unscathed.
